The last words were spoken with a mingled triumph and pathos that were irresistible. They all laughed.
“Don’t be too sorry for me, Dan,” said his sister. “I’ll try to bear it.”
“Oh yes, I know: you think you won’t care, but I know better. You like to rule as well as Allister. You’ll see, when spring comes, that you won’t put him aside as you used to put me.”
“There won’t be the same need,” said Shenac, laughing.
“Won’t there? It is all very fine, now that Allister is new. But wait and see. You won’t like to be second-best, after having been first so long.”
Both Hamish and Shenac Dhu were observing her. She caught their look, and reddened a little.
“Do you think so, Shenac Dhu?—You surely cannot think so meanly of me, Hamish?”
“I think there may be a little truth in what Dan says, but I cannot think meanly of you because of that,” said Hamish.
“Nonsense, Hamish!” said Shenac Dhu; “you don’t know anything about it. It is one thing to give up to a lad without sense, like Dan, but quite another thing to yield to a man like Allister, strong and wise and gentle. You are not to make Shenac afraid of her brother.”
“I shall never be afraid of Allister,” said Shenac Bhan gravely; “and indeed, Hamish, I don’t think it is quite kind in you to think I like my own way best of all—”