d
arrangements of a lady's work-box on an extended scale. Love's work;
Eleanor could see her adopted mother in every carefully disposed supply
of needles and silks and braids and glittering Sheffield ware, and the
thousand and one appliances and provisions for one who was to be at a
very large distance from Sheffield and every home source of needle
furniture. Love recognized love's work, as Eleanor looked into the
drawer.

"Now you are ready to say this is a small thread and needle shop," said
Mr. Rhys; "but you will be mistaken if you do. Look further."

And that she might, he unlocked a pair of smaller inner doors; the
little piece of furniture developed itself immediately into a capital
secretary. As thoroughgoing as the work-box, but still more
comprehensive, here were more than mere materials and conveniences for
writing; it was a depository for several small but very precious
treasures of a scientific and other kinds; and even a few books lay
nestling among them, and there was room for more.

"What is this!" Eleanor exclaimed when she had got her breath.

"This is--Mrs. Caxton! I do not know whether she expected you to turn
sempstress immediately for the colony--or whether she intended you for
another vocation, as I do."

"She sent this from England!"

"It was made by nobody worse than a London cabinet-maker. I did not
know whether you would choose to have it stand in this place, or in the
only room that can properly be called your own. Come in here;--the
other part of the house is, you will find, pretty much public."

"Even your study?"

"That is no exception, sometimes. I am a public man, myself."

The partition wall of this room was nicely lined with mats; the door
was like a piece of the wall, swinging to noiselessly, but Mr. Rhys
shewed Eleanor how she could fasten it securely on the inside. Eleanor
had been taken into this room on her first arrival; but had then been
unable to see anything. Now her eyes were in requisition. Here there
was even more attention paid to comfort and appearances than in the
dining-room. In the simplest possible manner; but somebody had been at
work there who knew that elegance is attainable without the help of
opulence; and that eye and hand can do what money cannot. Eye and hand
had been busy everywhere. Very pretty and soft native mats were on the
floor; the windows were shaded with East Indian _jalousies;_ and not
only personal convenience but tastes were regarded in