One bright morning, Sir Edward was examining a young partly-broken horse that had been reared in the pastures across the river, and expressed himself delighted with its appearance.
"What do you say to it, Mark ?" he cried.

"Not strong enough to carry me, but I should think it would suit Mary exactly." "Couldn't be better, father," said the lad, though he felt a little disappointed, for he half expected that his father would have given it to him.
"Call her, then, and she shall try it.

And by the way, Mark, there is that other--that chestnut--which will do for you." The lad flushed with pleasure, for he had fully believed that his father intended the handsome, strongly made chestnut for his own use.

Mary Eden was fetched, came out, and tried the gentle, slightly-built palfrey, and the chestnut was brought too, proving everything that could be desired.
"There!" said Sir Edward, after their paces had been tried in one of the meadows; "now you are both better mounted than any young people in the Midlands, so go and have a good round together, and get back well before dark.

Don't distress the horses, and go right away, and make a round to the west, so as not to go near Ergles.