Sheila looked on and listened and wondered. Sometimes she was quite fond of Effie, sorry for her, and eager to do anything she could. At others, again, she felt a decided longing to shake her, and grew fairly out of patience at the way she had of bringing every subject started round to herself again. Others had noticed this defect in Effie. Her cousins had named it in Sheila’s hearing, but they had never spoken of it to the girl herself, and Sheila never meant to; but one day almost in spite of herself, the words sprang to her lips.
“Effie, do you ever think about anything or anybody but yourself? I do think you’d be so much better if you would. I don’t know if you know it or care; but you talk about yourself from morning to night. It does get so tiresome, and I’m sure it’s bad for you!”
Effie stopped short in what she was about to say, and stared at Sheila hard. The girl coloured under the sharp gaze. Sheila was very placable by nature, and hated anybody to be angry with her; but she had not learned the lesson yet of thinking before she spoke.
“I beg your pardon if I vexed you,” she said; “but——”
“That’ll do,” said Effie shortly; “I don’t want to hear any more! You can go now! You’d better take that ride you’ve been wanting to so long! I don’t want anybody with me who thinks it tiresome to talk to me!”
Sheila escaped from the room, half inclined to laugh, and half to cry. Shamrock had arrived at Cossart Place two days ago, and she was eager to have a gallop upon her; but Effie had not been well, and she had not liked to leave her. She fled away now to her own room, and put on her habit. Her cheeks were glowing with the excitement of her little quarrel with Effie, and with the prospect of her ride upon her favourite. She thought most likely she would get a scolding from her aunt on Effie’s account; but, after all, was it not a good thing for somebody to warn Effie of her besetting weakness? Sheila was sure she did not want to be selfish. She had many kind thoughts and plans for other people. Only she had got so into the way of being the first consideration with everybody about her. It was enough to spoil anybody.
When she was dressed, Sheila slipped down the almost unused staircase of the old part of the house; and made her way direct to the stable-yard. Sheila had obtained her wished-for quarters, and had two pleasant rooms of her own in the block of old building, which she liked so much better than the great modern addition, where the reception-rooms were, and where the family had their quarters. Her belongings, and a good many of Oscar’s, were stored here, and made her rooms home-like and bright. When Oscar came to see her, they felt almost in a separate house of their own. On the whole, Sheila was very pleased with her new life. She was kindly treated, and things were all smooth and easy. So long as she pleased Effie, that was all anybody expected of her; and so far Effie had seemed to like her companionship. But Sheila began to wonder how things would be if she got into Effie’s black books. She fancied that her Aunt Cossart could be pretty severe to anybody who offended or distressed her darling.
However, what was done could not be undone, and Sheila’s nature was hopeful and elastic. She ran to the coachman, and begged him to have Shamrock saddled for her, and laughed and shook her head when he suggested that a groom should attend her.
“Oh, no, I always rode alone at home, if my father or Oscar could not come with me,” she answered; “Shamrock is perfectly safe. I want to explore the country. Some of the roads look quite pretty.”
She was soon mounted on her favourite, who expressed pleasure at having her pretty mistress on her back once more. Sheila was equally delighted, and rode gaily along the lanes, the sunshine throwing dancing lights and shadows across her path. She followed one winding lane after another, feeling joyfully the freedom of her independence, after being so many days shut up in the house, with only an occasional run into the garden; and she could hardly regret the little tiff with Effie which had brought it about.