ps, that a girl so handsome,
fine-colored and proud-eyed should be distressing herself with imaginary
sentiments, instead of taking life cheerfully, enjoying the hour as it
passed, and being quite assured of the interest and liking and homage of
every one with whom she came in contact. Sheila turned to the bed once
more, about to say that she had troubled Mrs. Lavender too much already,
and that she would look after these lodgings. But the old woman
apparently anticipated as much, and said with much deliberation that if
Sheila and her companion would only remain one or two days in the house,
proper rooms should be provided for them somewhere. Young girls could
not venture into lodgings without strict inquiries being made. Sheila
should have suitable rooms, and Mrs. Lavender would see that she was
properly looked after and that she wanted for nothing. In the mean time
she must have some money.

"It is kind of you," said the girl, blushing hotly, "but I do not
require it."

"Oh, I suppose we are too proud," said the old woman. "If we disapprove
of our husband taking money, we must not do it either. Why, child, you
have learnt nothing in London. You are a savage yet. You must let me
give you something for your pocket, or what are you to do? You say you
have left everything at home: do you think hair-brushes, for example,
grow on trees, that you can go into Kensington Gardens and stock your
rooms?"

"I have some money--a few pounds--that my papa gave me," Sheila said.

"And when that is done?"

"He will give me more."

"And yet you don't wish him to know you have left your husband's house!
What will he make of these repeated demands for money?"

"My papa will give me anything I want without asking any questions."

"Then he is a bigger fool than I expected. Oh, don't get into a temper
again. Those sudden shocks of color, child, show me that your heart is
out of order. How can you expect to have a regular pulsation if you
flare up at anything any one may say? Now go and fetch me your Highland
cousin."

Mairi came into the room in a very timid fashion, and stared with her
big, light-blue eyes into the dusky recess in which the little old woman
sat up in bed. Sheila took her forward: "This is my cousin Mairi, Mrs.
Lavender."

"And are you ferry well, ma'am?" said Mairi, holding out her hand very
much as a boy pretends to hold out his hand to a tiger in the Zoological
Gardens.

"Well, young lady," said Mrs. Lavend