de 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.

Eleanor felt her "shamefacedness" return upon her, while all the rest
were making acquaintance, welcoming and receiving welcome. She stood
aside. Did they know her position? While she was thinking, Mr. Rhys
came to her and put her again in her chair by the window. Mrs. Amos had
been carried off by Mrs. Balliol. The two other gentlemen were in
earnest converse. Mr. Rhys took a seat in front of Eleanor and asked in
a low voice if she wished for any delay?

"In what?" said Eleanor, though she knew the answer.

"Coming home."

He was almost sorry for her, to see the quick blood flash into her
face. But she caught her breath and said "No."

"You know," he said; how exactly like the Mr. Rhys of Plassy!--"I would
not hurry you beyond your pleasure. If you would like to remain here a
day or two, domiciled with Mrs. Balliol, and rest, and see the
land--you have only to say what you wish."

"I do not wish it," said Eleanor, finding it very difficult to answer
at all--"I wish it to be just as you please."

"You must know what my pleasure is. Does your heart not fail you, now
you are here?" he asked still lower and in a very gentle way.

"No."

"Eleanor, have you had any doubts or failings of heart at any time,
since you left England?"

"No. Yes!--I did, once--at Sydney."

"At Sydney?"--repeated Mr. Rhys in a perceptibly graver tone.

"Yes--at Sydney--when I did