However, nothing could have been more favourable than the weather the next day. Fine as it almost always was down in Funchal, there were days when the hills and mountain peaks were wrapped in cloud, and those who ventured up their sides were speedily wet through. But to-day all was clear and bright and sunny; and as the little railway train climbed puffing up the steep track, the air seemed to grow more and more clear and buoyant, and Sheila laughed aloud from pure gladness of heart. All the Dumaresqs were of the party, including little Guy, who clung close to Sheila, and who was her especial care. Miss Adene went with them, “to keep them in bounds,” as she said, and Ronald and Effie completed the party. Perhaps Ronald felt he had rather neglected the delicate girl, whose pleasures seemed few and far between; for he constituted himself her cavalier that day; gave her his hand over any rough ground; pointed out the various objects of interests, and promised to be her companion in the running carro for the descent. The air felt fresh and almost cold when they left the train. Sheila drank in long breaths with keen delight. “It is almost like being in England again! I do love the lazy heat down below; but it is delightful to get up here where one feels like running and jumping!” and forthwith she and little Guy began chasing each other in and out amongst the trees and zigzag paths, till Miss Adene called to them that they were going up to the church, and told them to follow. After they had seen the big bare church with its curious images, they got some very curious thick strong coffee at the little hotel, and then Ronald went in search of carros sufficient for all the party. “Miss Adene, you’ll go with me and little Guy, won’t you?” said Sheila. “I’ll hold him on my knee and take care of him. You’ll trust him to me, won’t you, Lady Dumaresq, and you can take care of Sir Guy!” “Mayn’t I be allowed to take care of my own wife?” asked Sir Guy, laughing; and Sheila laughed and blushed and answered quaintly— “I think you always do take care of one another, Sir Guy.” From the Mount Church a cobble-paved road ran sheer down the steep hillside into the town lying beneath. The running carros were baskets on runners, holding two persons, and managed by two men, who held them back and steered them by ropes, running alongside or behind, and calling out to all other passengers to get out of the way. For the road was a public highway, and bullocks dragging up loads on sledges, or men, women, and children with their market produce or purchases on their heads, would be constantly met or passed coming up or going down.