The following weeks were rather amusing ones for Sheila and Effie. Cyril had taken up in earnest his plan for getting Effie to ride again; and Mr. Cossart had been talked over when he found that the doctor approved and that Effie’s heart was set upon it. Cyril was the master of the ceremonies throughout. He first hired for her a trained circus pony, who would obey at a word, and who carried Effie patiently round and round the sweep of the drive till she had regained some of her former aptitude for the saddle. Meantime he was scouring the neighbourhood in search of a suitable cob for her future use; and when he had heard of a likely animal, he would call for Sheila to accompany him to the place, because, as he said, though she might not know whether the creature were sound or not, she could give a very good opinion as to whether its paces were easy and comfortable, and whether it was the kind of creature Effie would like. These rides were a source of great enjoyment to Sheila. She found Cyril a delightful companion, and he seemed to find her the same. It was a relief to get away from the atmosphere of Cossart Place for a few hours—away from Effie’s companionship, and the feeling of irritation and constraint which she often experienced there. “I suppose it is my fault,” she sometimes said to Cyril, if he chanced to find her in one of her stormy moods. “I want to be nice to Effie; but she does aggravate me sometimes! When she is ill, I am really very sorry for her. It must be dreadful to feel as though you couldn’t breathe. But I do think she would be better if she wasn’t always talking and thinking about her symptoms. It’s partly Aunt Cossart. She is always asking her about them. But—oh, dear, I do get so tired of it! And then if I am cross, I get into such disgrace!” “Poor little thing!” said Cyril kindly. “Yes, it must be a trying life for you; but I will do all I can to brighten it up for you. We will try to get some fun out of the summer. Uncle and Aunt Cossart will do anything and agree to anything if they think it is in the interest of their darling! So we can make a capital stalking-horse of Effie!” Sheila suddenly raised her clear glance to Cyril’s face. Something in the tone of the last words struck her with a momentary sense of uneasiness. Surely he was sincere in wishing to do Effie good and rouse her up? Anything the least bit untrue went against the grain with Sheila terribly. He seemed to see the question in her eyes, and at once continued— “You can see for yourself how much she wants taking out of herself; and that will never be done at home. We must get her out into the world amongst other people. As it is, she thinks she is rather a wonderful being. When she goes out more and rubs against others, she will find her level, and it will do her a world of good.” “Don’t you like Effie, then?” asked Sheila.