In  fact,  when  Jenny  and  Mrs.  Goodchild  were
installed  at  Glamoys  Lodge  he  left  them  to  them-
selves for  a  whole  month.  The  portrait  in  the
dining-room  remained  undisturbed.  Emma  knew
the  story  of  it,  and  she  realized  that  its  continued
presence  was  a  compliment.
The  Duke  taught  Jenny  to  ride.
"  Ever  been  on  a  horse,  Jenny  ?  "

"  Any  number  of  them."

The  Duke  looked  surprised.
"  How  is  that  ?  "

"  'Bus  horses — I  used  to  ride  them  in  and  out


96  JENNY

of  the  yard.     They  were  darlings  ;  all  horses  are
darlings,  aren't  they  ?  "

The  sentiment  appealed  to  the  Duke  immensely,
and  he  was  more  than  delighted  when  he  found
that  she  had  a  natural  genius  for  horsemanship.
"  Took  to  it  like  a  young  duck  to  water,"  he
told  Mrs.  Goodchild  after  Jenny's  first  lesson.
"  She's  got  a  wonderful  seat,  and  nerves  of  steel."

His  interest  in  her  grew.  The  occupation  of
teaching  a  nature  which  was  capable  of  such  rapid
progress  was  fascinating.  Whatever  traces  of  her
early  upbringing  had  remained  were  dissipated
as  her  world  became  full  of  the  sunshine  of  things
which  were  congenial  to  her.
The  sense  of  companionship  which  grew  up
between  them  was  extraordinary.  He  felt,  how-
ever, that  she  was  busy  selecting  with  unerring
instinct  what  he  should  teach  her.  She  assimilated
from  him  facts,  details  of  social  procedure,  and
nuances  which  it  was  obvious  from  her  after-
conversation  and  conduct  she  did  not  forget.  She
announced  her  ignorance  on  subjects  about  which
she  wished  to  be  enlightened  with  a  grave  dignity
which  imparted  the  effect  of  a  young  and  in-
experienced monarch  seeking  guidance  from  her
prime  minister.
