At the best, it was an acknowledgment that she had been too hasty in a matter that she should not have allowed herself to fail in; and she felt humbled under the thought.

Besides, it seemed to her refined and sensitive nature only decorous that she should withdraw for a time into the seclusion of her own home under such circumstances.
As for the village gossips, they entirely misinterpreted her conduct.
Inasmuch as Jethro went around as usual, and put a bold face upon the matter, they came to the conclusion that he had thrown her off, and that she was moping at home, because she felt the blow so keenly.
Thus it was that while the young Englishman had attended many social gatherings during the winter he had never met the one person whom he was especially desirous of again meeting.
One little passage of the conversation between the two it may be well however to refer to expressly for its bearing upon a very serious matter.

Raymond had mentioned that he had not seen her recently flying around on that little jet black horse, and had asked whether she still owned it.
"Oh, yes," replied Dulcibel; "I doubt that I should be able to sell Little Witch if I wished to do so." "Ah, how is that?
She seems to be a very fine riding beast." "She is, very! But you have not heard that I am the only one that has ever ridden her or that can ride her." "Indeed! that is curious." I have owned her from a little colt.

She was never broken to harness; and no one, as I said, has ever ridden her but me.

So that now if any other person, man or woman, attempts to do so, she will not allow it.
She rears, she plunges, and finally as a last resort, if necessary, lies down on the ground and refuses to stir.