ty. Eleanor's eyes were full of business. How strange it was! So
far away from home, and so long living on the sea, now on landing to be
greeted by such a multitude of familiar sounds and sights. The very cab
she was driving in; the omnibuses and carts they passed; the
English-cut faces; the same street cries; the same trades revealing
themselves, as she had been accustomed to in London. But now and then
there came a difference of Australasia. There would be a dray drawn by
three or four pair of bullocks; London streets never saw that turn-out;
and then Eleanor would start at seeing a little group of the natives of
the country, dressed in English leavings of costume. Those made her
feel where she was; otherwise the streets and houses and shops had very
much of a home air. Except indeed when a curious old edifice built of
logs peeped in among white stone fronts and handsome shop windows; the
relics, Mr. Esthwaite told her, of that not so very far distant time
when the town first began to grow up, and the "bush" covered almost all
the ground now occupied by it. Eleanor was well pleased to be so busied
in looking out that she had little leisure for talking; and Mr.
Esthwaite sat by and smiled in satisfaction. But this blessed immunity
could not last. The cab stopped before a house in George street.

"Has she come?" exclaimed a voice as the door opened; and a head full
of curls put itself out into the hall;--"have you brought her? Oh how
delightful! How glad I am!--" and the owner of the curls came near to
be introduced, hardly waiting for the introduction, and to give Eleanor
the most gleeful sort of a welcome.

"And she was on that ship, the 'Diana,' Egbert? how nice! Just as you
thought; and I was so afraid it was nothing but another disappointment.
I was afraid to look out when the cab came. Now come up stairs, cousin
Eleanor, and I will take you to your room. You must be tired to death,
are you not?"

"Why should I?" said Eleanor as she tripped up stairs after her
hostess. "I have done nothing for four months."

"Look here!" shouted Mr. Esthwaite from the hall--"Louisa, don't stop
to talk over the fashions now--it is dinner-time. How soon will you be
down?"--

"Don't mind him," said pretty Mrs. Esthwaite, leading the way into a
light pleasant room overlooking the bay;--"sit down and rest yourself.
Would you like anything before you dress? Now just think you are at
home, will you? It's too delightful to have you he