I  was  at  Count  Przobossky's  noble  country  seat  in Lithuania,  and  remained  with  the  ladies  at  tea  in  the  drawing- room,  while  the  gentlemen  went  down  in  the  yard,  to  see  a young  horse  of  blood,  which  had  just  arrived  from  the  stud. We  suddenly  heard  a  noise  of  distress  ;  I  hastened  down-stairs, and  found  the  horse  so  unruly,  that  nobody  durst  approach  or mount  him.  The  most  resolute  horsemen  stood  dismayed  and aghast ;  despondency  was  expressed  in  every  countenance,  when, in  one  leap,  I  was  on  his  back,  took  him  by  surprise,  and worked  him  quite  into  gentleness  and  obedience,  with  the  best display  of  horsemanship  I  was  master  of.  Fully  to  show  this  to the  ladies,  and  save  them  unnecessary  trouble,  I  forced  him  to leap  in  at  one  of  the  open  windows  of  the  tea-room,  walk round  several  times,  pace,  trot,  and  gallop ;  and  at  last  made him  mount  the  tea-table,  there  to  repeat  his  lessons  in  a pretty  style  of  miniature,  which  was  exceedingly  pleasing  to the  ladies,  for  he  performed  them  amazingly  well,  and  did  not break  either  cup  or  saucer.

- Chapter 3