immediately after
breakfast. The early prayers were over, and the aunt and niece were
left by themselves a moment before the meal was served.

"And what shall I say to Mr. Rhys?" enquired Mrs. Caxton, as they stood
silent together. Eleanor hesitated, and hesitated; and finally said,

"I believe, nothing, ma'am."

"You have given me messages for so many other people, you know," said
Mrs. Caxton quietly.

"Yes, ma'am. I don't know how to make a message for him."

"I think he will feel it," said Mrs. Caxton in the same manner.

Then she saw, for her eyes were good, the lightning flash of emotion
which worked in Eleanor's face. Proud self-control kept it down, and
she stood motionless, though it did not prevent the perceptible paling
of her cheek which Mrs. Caxton had noticed last night. She stood
silent, then she said slowly,--

"If I thought _that_--You may give him any message for me that you
think good, aunt Caxton."

The breakfast arrived, and few more words passed on any topic. Another
hour, and Eleanor was on her journey.

She felt in a confusion of spirits and would not let herself think,
till they reached her stopping place for the night. And then, instead
of thinking, Eleanor to say the truth could do nothing but weep. It was
her time for tears; to-morrow would end such an indulgence. At an early
hour the next day she met her father's carriage which had been sent so
far for her; and the remaining hours of her way Eleanor did think. Her
thoughts are her own. But at the bottom of some that were sorrowful lay
one deep subject of joy. That she was not going helmet-less into the
fight which she felt might be before her. Of that she had an inward
presentiment, though what form it would take she was entirely uncertain.

Julia was the first person that met her, and that meeting was rapturous.

"O Nell! it has been so dreadful and dull since you have been gone! I'm
so glad to have you home! I'm so glad to have you home!"--she repeated,
with her arms round Eleanor's neck.

"But what are you going to Brighton for?" said Eleanor after the first
salutations had satisfied the first eagerness of the sisters.

"O I don't know. Papa isn't just well, I believe; and mamma thought it
would do him good. Mamma's in here."

It was to Eleanor's relief that her reception in this quarter also was
perfectly cordial. Mrs. Powle seemed to have forgotten, or to be
disposed to forget, old causes of trouble; and to begin again as