. The days that are no more, some reminiscences . stories about your riding and driving;but, as I wanted to find out for myself whetherthese reports are true, I have come all the wayfrom England for this express purpose. I hopeyou will be good enough to show me somespecimens of your skill in riding and driving. My father was not over pleased at thissomewhat unconventional way of introducingoneself, but he had been exceedingly wellreceived in England, and knew that allowancemust often be made for English , like a true Hungarian, hospitableto the core, he invited the od
. The days that are no more, some reminiscences . stories about your riding and driving;but, as I wanted to find out for myself whetherthese reports are true, I have come all the wayfrom England for this express purpose. I hopeyou will be good enough to show me somespecimens of your skill in riding and driving. My father was not over pleased at thissomewhat unconventional way of introducingoneself, but he had been exceedingly wellreceived in England, and knew that allowancemust often be made for English , like a true Hungarian, hospitableto the core, he invited the odd visitor into thecastle and promised to do his best for him. He started off at once, riding like onepossessed, clearing all obstacles, and drivingin such a way that all were speechless withamazement. The Englishman, whose namehas unfortunately escaped my memory, seemedto be highly satisfied, but added, with im-perturbable calmness, after every feat of horse-manship or driving : Splendid !—but I thinkI have seen it done before. This was too90. COUNTESS LEONTINE SANDOR 1 The Sandor ! much for my father, who had his best andmost fiery team of five harnessed, and invitedhis guest to go for a drive with him. Atfull gallop they made in the direction ofVisegrad, up a long slope which overlooksthe Danube, and from the top of which onedescends by a very steep, zigzag road. Myfather flicked the horses with his whip, andwhen the pace was at its hottest flung thereins on to the horses backs and asked hisguest who sat there, trembling and deathlypale : Have you seen that done before ? Of course there was a spill. The English-man broke a few ribs, the two grooms hadjumped off just in time, and my father, as heafterwards told the story, came off quiteunhurt—he only had the usual broken collar-bone. It was in Vienna that my father got toknow my mother. Wild and untamed as hewas, he at once took a liking to this mostwomanly of women. Her quiet, stately,dignified bearing, her intellect, and
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