“I believe they are rather a wild lot,” answered Lady Dumaresq, smiling; “but you must be thirsty, little girl. Come with us and have some tea. Guy and Aunt Mary are sure to have it all ready for us.” Then seeing Mrs. Cossart she added, with one of her gracious smiles, “You will let us give the baby her tea, will you not, since we have ridden her so hard?” “Thank you, you are very kind,” answered Mrs. Cossart, rather stiffly, for she never could get used to what she called “grand people,” though she longed to be friendly with them, and was secretly pleased when Lady Dumaresq spoke to her in presence of other guests. But why was it Sheila whom these people had taken up, making a pet and baby of her, and encouraging her in all her little spoilt-child ways? If it had only been Effie now, the mother would have been brimming over with delight; but Sheila was quite spoiled enough as it was; it was a thousand pities she should be made so much of here. Effie was able now to appear at luncheon and dinner, and her mother took care that she was always well dressed and looked her best. Sir Guy Dumaresq had the seat at the end of the table farthest from the door; his own party sat at his right hand, and the Cossarts opposite at his left. Thus they seemed in a fashion to make one party, and conversation was usually more or less general. “Now, Miss Cossart,” said Ronald to Effie that day, “you’ve not done a single thing since you came. We must really rout you up. Let’s make up a party and take the funicular railway to the Mount Church to-morrow, and come down in running carros. It’s the most screaming fun, and perfectly safe. I know Miss Sheila is just aching to go in one; and you must come too!” “There, Effie,” cried Mrs. Cossart, beaming, “isn’t that a charming plan?” Effie pursed up her lips and gave her head a little toss. “I don’t know till I’ve tried. I thought it always rained up at the Mount. I see the clouds come down every day about noon. But I’ll come if you want me; if I do get wet, I do. I don’t care so very much. If I do get a bad night afterwards it won’t kill me, I daresay!” “Oh, we’ll take care of you!” cried Ronald, laughing. “Guy is going; and he isn’t to get wet either; so we’ll make love to the clerk of the weather. But the mornings are almost always fine even up there. It’s in the afternoon the clouds come down.” Sheila was delighted to think of going on this excursion. So far, although they had now been several weeks in the island, she had seen very little. The Cossarts liked to take things quietly, and there was plenty of time, they kept saying, to see everything. The few rides with Effie had not been particularly exhilarating, as she had been nervous and dissatisfied with the horses, and though Ronald had gone prospecting about, the Dumaresqs and Miss Adene had been content for the most part with the pleasures of the garden; and so Sheila’s opportunities for sight-seeing had been but few.