e
moved in--pressed her heart down almost to the ground. She stood by the
writing-table where she had risen to her feet, with her eyes brimful of
tears, but so still even to her eyelids that the tears had not
overflowed. She supposed Mr. Rhys had gone out. In another moment
however she heard his step returning and he entered the study. Eleanor
moved instantly to leave it, but he met and stayed her with a look
infinitely sweet; turned her about, and made her kneel down with him.
And then he poured out a prayer for charity; not merely the kindness
that throws a covering over the failings of others, or that holds back
the report of what they have been; but the overabounding heavenly love
that will send its brightness into the dark places of human society and
with its own richness fill the barren spots; and above all, for that
love of Jesus the King, that makes all his servants dear, for that
spirit of Christ that looks with his own love and forbearance on all
that need it. And so, as the speaker prayed, he shewed his own
possession of that which he asked for; so revealed the tender and high
walk of his own mind and its near familiarity with heavenly things,
that Eleanor thought her heart would break. The feeling, how far he
stood above her in knowledge and in goodness, while it was a secret and
deep joy, yet gave her acute pain such as she never had felt before.
She would not weep; it was a dry aching pain, that took part of its
strength from the thought of having done or shewn something that he did
not like. But Mr. Rhys went on to pray for her alone; and Eleanor was
conquered then. Tears came and she cried like a little child, and all
the hard pain of pride or of fear was washed away; like the dust from
the leaves in a summer shower.

She was so far healed, but she would have run way when they rose from
their knees if he had permitted her. He had no such intention. Keeping
fast hold of her hand he brought her to a seat by the window, opened
it, for the day was now cooling off and the sea-breeze was fresh; and
taking the book of their studies he put her into a lesson of Fijian
practice; till Eleanor's spirits were thoroughly restored. Then
throwing away the book and taking her in his arms he almost kissed the
tears back again.

"Eleanor----" he said, when he saw that her eyes were wet, and her
colour and her voice were fluttering together.

"What?"

"You must bear the inconvenience of your hair for my sake. Tell sist