But just then a
captain of the dragoons offered to teach me for a very low fee, and in
the Queen's Riding-School I was initiated during the Spring months into
the elementary stages of the art, in order that in Summer I might be
able to ride out. These riding-lessons were the keenest possible delight
to me. I, who so seldom felt happy, and still more seldom jubilant, was
positively exultant as I rode out in the morning along the Strand Road.
Even if I had had an almost sleepless night I felt fresh on horseback.
It was no pleasure to me to ride the same horse often, if I knew its
disposition. I liked to change as often as possible, and preferred
rather difficult horses to mares too well broken in. I felt the arrogant
pride of youth seethe in my veins as I galloped briskly along.
I was still far from an accomplished horseman when an examination of my
finances warned me that I must give up my riding lessons.
When I informed my instructor that I could no longer allow myself the
pleasure of his lessons, and in reply to his "Why?" had mentioned the
reason, the captain answered that it would be very easy to settle that
matter: he had a sister, an elderly maiden lady, who was passionately
fond of literature and literary history. Lessons in that subject could
to our mutual satisfaction balance the riding lessons, which could thus
go on indefinitely.
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