Chapter 21

           Thetemporarystable,awoodenshed,hadbeenputupclosetotheracecourse,andtherehismarewastohavebeentakenthepreviousday.Hehadnotyetseenherthere.

           Duringthelastfewdayshehadnotriddenheroutforexercisehimself,buthadputherinthechargeofthetrainer,andsonowhepositivelydidnotknowinwhatconditionhismarehadarrivedyesterdayandwastoday.Hehadscarcelygotoutofhiscarriagewhenhisgroom,theso-called“stableboy,”recognizingthecarriagesomewayoff,calledthetrainer.Adry-lookingEnglishman,inhighbootsandashortjacket,clean-shaven,exceptforatuftbelowhischin,cametomeethim,walkingwiththeuncouthgaitofjockey,turninghiselbowsoutandswayingfromsidetoside.

           “Well,how’sFrou-Frou?”VronskyaskedinEnglish.

           “Allright,sir,”theEnglishman’svoicerespondedsomewhereintheinsideofhisthroat.“Betternotgoin,”headded,touchinghishat.“I’veputamuzzleonher,andthemare’sfidgety.Betternotgoin,it’llexcitethemare.”

           “No,I’mgoingin.Iwanttolookather.”

           “Comealong,then,”saidtheEnglishman,frowning,andspeakingwithhismouthshut,and,withswingingelbows,hewentoninfrontwithhisdisjointedgait.

           Theywentintothelittleyardinfrontoftheshed.Astableboy,spruceandsmartinhisholidayattire,metthemwithabroominhishand,andfollowedthem.Intheshedtherewerefivehorsesintheirseparatestalls,andVronskyknewthathischiefrival,Gladiator,averytallchestnuthorse,hadbeenbroughtthere,andmustbestandingamongthem.