Volume II Part 52 (1/2)

”From England--yes; but we made some stay in Australia by the way,”

said Eleanor turning from the window to take a more sociable position nearer her hostess.

”A long voyage?”

”Not remarkably long. I had good companions.”

”From what part of England?”

”The borders of Wales, last.”

”Brother Rhys is from Wales--isn't he?”

”I do not know,” said Eleanor, vexed to feel the flush of blood to her cheeks.

”Ah? You have known brother Rhys before?” with a searching look.

”Yes.”

”And how do you think you shall like it in Fiji?”

”You can hardly expect me to tell under such short trial,” said Eleanor smiling.

”There are trials enough. I suppose you expect those, do you not?”

”I do not mean to expect them till they come,” said Eleanor, still smiling.

”Do you think that is wise?” said the other gravely. ”They will come, I a.s.sure you, fast enough; do you not think it is well to prepare the mind for what it has to go through, by looking at it beforehand?”

”You never know beforehand what is to be gone through,” said Eleanor.

”But you know some things; and it is well, I think, to harden oneself against what is coming. I have found that sort of discipline very useful. Sister, may I ask you a searching questions?”

”Certainly! If you please,” said Eleanor.

”You know, we should be ready to give every one a reason of the hope that is in us. I want to ask you, sister, what moved you to go on a mission?”

Astonishment almost kept Eleanor silent; then noticing the quick eyes of Mrs. Balliol repeating the enquiry at her face, the difficulty of answering met and joined with a small tide of indignation at its being demanded of her. She did not want to be angry, and she was very near being ready to cry. Her mind was in that state of overwrought fulness when a little stir is more than the feelings can bear. Among conflicting tides, the sense of the ludicrous at last got the uppermost; and she laughed, as one laughs whose nerves are not just under control; heartily and merrily. Mrs. Balliol was confounded.

”I should not have thought it was a laughing matter,”--she remarked at length. But the gravity of that threw Eleanor off again; and the little hands and ruffled sleeves were reviewed under new circ.u.mstances. And when Eleanor got command of herself, she still kept her hand over her eyes, for she found that she was just trembling into tears. She held it close pressed upon them.

”Perhaps you are fatigued, sister?” said Mrs. Balliol, in utter incapacity to account for this demonstration.

”Not much. I beg your pardon!” said Eleanor. ”I believe I am a little unsettled at first getting here. If you please, I will try being quite quiet for awhile--if you will let me be so discourteous?”

”Do so!” said Mrs. Balliol. ”Anything to rest you.” And Eleanor went back to her window, and turning her face to the garden again rested her head on her hand; and there was a hush. Mrs. Balliol worked and mused, probably. Eleanor did as she had said; kept quiet. The quiet lasted a long time, and the tropical day grew up into its meridian heats; yet it was not oppressive; a fine breeze relieved it and made it no other than pleasant. Home at last! This great stillness and quiet, after the ocean tossings, and months of voyaging, and change, and heart-uncertainty.

The peace of heart now was as profound; but so profound, and so thankfully recognized, that Eleanor's mood was a little unsteady. She needed to be still and recollect herself, as she could looking out into the leaves of a great banana tree there in the garden, and forgetting the house and Mrs. Balliol.

The quiet lasted a long time, and was broken then by the entrance of Mr. Balliol. His wife introduced him; and after learning that he could now render no aid to Mr. Rhys, he immediately entered into a brisk conversation with the new comer Mr. Rhys had brought. That went well, and was also strengthening. Eleanor was greatly pleased with him. He was evidently a man of learning and sense and spirit; a man of excellent parts, in good cultivation, and filled with a most benign and gentle temper of goodness. It was a pleasure to talk to him; and while they were talking the party from the schooner arrived.