ingthistimedideverythingforhiswifethatdidnotinvolveasacrificeofhisownconvenience.Whenthedoctorsuggestedsomedaintytotemptherappetite,EdwardwasdelightedtorideovertoTercanburytofetchitandinherpresencehetrodmoresoftlyandspokeinagentlervoice.AfterawhileheusedtoinsistoncarryingBerthaupanddownstairs,andthoughDr.Ramsayassuredthemitwasaquiteunnecessaryproceeding,BerthawouldnotallowEdwardtogiveitup.Itamusedhertofeelalittlechildinhisstrongarms,andshelovedtonestleagainsthisbreast.Then,withwinter,whenitwastoocoldtodriveout,Berthawouldlieforlonghoursonasofabythewindow,lookingatthelineofelm-trees,nowleaflessagainandmelancholy,watchingtheheavycloudsthatdroveoverfromthesea:herheartwasfullofpeace.
OnedayofthenewyearshewassittingasusualatherwindowwhenEdwardcameprancingupthedriveonhorseback.Hestoppedinfrontofherandwavedhiswhip.
“Whatd’youthinkofmynewhorse?”hecried.
Atthatmomenttheanimalbegantocavort,andbackedintoaflower-bed.“Quiet,oldfellow,”criedEdward.“Nowthen,don’tmakeafussquiet!”Thehorsestoodonitshindlegsandlaiditsearsbackviciously.PresentlyEdwarddismountedandledhimtowardsBertha.“Isn’theastunner?Justlookathim.”
Hepassedhishanddownthebeast’sforelegsandstrokeditssleekcoat.
“Ionlygavethirty-fivequidforit,”heremarked.“ImustjusttakehimroundtothestableandthenI’llcomein.”
InafewminutesEdwardjoinedhiswife.Theridingcostumesuitedhimwell,andinhistop-bootshehadmorethanevertheappearanceofthefox-huntingcountrysquire,whichhadalwaysbeenhisideal.Hewasinhighspiritsoverthenewpurchase.
“It’sthebeastthatthrewArthurBrandertonwhenwewereoutlastweek....Arthur’slimpingaboutnowwithasprainedankleandabrokenfinger.Hesaysthehorseisthegreatestdevilhe’severriddenhe’sfrightenedtousehimagain.”Edwardlaughedscornfully.
“Butyouhaven’tboughthim?”askedBerth