The Old Helmet, Volume II

hopes that

s the vall

humble tho

nt, dew

and my G

hill, my bou

on generally, and grew to be as much interested in his objects as he was himself. Perhaps that is saying too much. In the house certainly Mr. Rhys bestowed an amount of patient time and investigation upon his microscopical studies which Eleanor did not emulate; time and pains which made him presently a capital manipulator, and probably stowed away quantities of knowl

which his companions seeing, they moved about with softened steps and strengthened hearts all the while. But he was not always tired and silent; and when he was not, he was a most delightful companion, as free to talk as a child and as full of matter as a wise man; and entirely social and sympathetic too in his whole temper and behaviour. He would not enjoy his natural historical discoveries alone; Mrs. Caxton and Eleanor were made to take their full share. The family circle was, quietly, a very lively one; there was no stagnating anywhere. He and Mrs. Caxton had many subjects and interests in common of which they talked freely, and Eleanor was only too glad to listen. There were books and reviews read aloud sometimes, with very pithy discussion of the same; in fact, there was conversation, truly deserving the name; such as Eleanor never listened to before she came to Plassy, and which she enjoyed hugely. Then the walks aft

d low, built of dark red stone and roofed with slate, it was now in different parts wreathed and draped in climbing roses and honeysuckle as well as in the ivy which did duty all winter. To stand under these roses at the back of the house, and look down over the gorgeous terraces, to the

and this evening he might be expected home. They had missed him very much, Mrs. Caxton and Eleanor. They had missed him exceedingly at prayer-time; they had missed him desolately at meals. To-night the tea-table was spread where he loved

will come home to-night," Mrs.

light start, but then going on wit

ll enjoy the fl

would be at home to

sily be detained. You have got ove

don't think I

ing influence' upon you,"

am sure Mr. Rhys is one of the perso

Mrs. Caxton quietly. Elea

e there are other persons before whom I think myself no wiser, whom

y, peaceful, lovely, was this gentle rural scene; what was the connection that made but a step in Eleanor's thoughts between the meadows of Plassy and some far-off islands in distant Polynesia? Eleanor had changed since some time ago. She could understand now why Mr. Rhys wanted to go there; she could comprehend it; s

wle wished Eleanor to lose no time, in order that her wardrobe might be properly cared for. Thomas was sent with the letter, and her mother desired that Eleanor would immediately on the receipt of it, "without an hour's delay," set off to come home with him. Reasons for this sudden proceeding there were none given; and it came with the sud

read it, with a face that shewed turmoil. Mrs. Caxton came up to her.

ste, Eleanor?" Mrs.

t know,

you cannot leave me to

, ma

reason for this sudden deman

s me none

ean

r head down on Mrs. Caxton's shoulder. Her aunt

's servant, my dear, and give your

a; they would not wait for Mr. Rhys any longer. The aunt and niece sat down to the table behind the honeysuckle drapery of the pillars; the sunlight had left the landscape; the breath of the flowers floated up

to take some straw

e you some,

rself, m

lodged. It is no harm for a lady's hand to be white; but travelling from the hand to the face, Mrs. Caxton's eye found too little colour there. Eleanor's cheeks

rstand this sudden reca

m, not t

ents have you

orning, ma'am. I

not; and I have not a

ome back be

lence on El

id him good bye befo

of any attention to

position which rather

ve heard a slight litt

xton's

My love, they are not left to our own disposal, and we should not know how to m

ope

u where he wants the work t

and knelt down by Mrs. Caxton's

eral. You have something now to do at home-perhaps not mo

illing, aunt Caxton! I

l be w

s in everything else, God loves a cheerful giver. Let us give him that now, Eleanor; and

or and helped her and kept with her that night and the next morning. Eleanor made her preparations and indulged in very few words. There was too much to think of, in the last evening's society, the last night in her happy ro

rs. Caxton, as they stood silent together. Ele

e, nothin

ages for so many other

axton

t know how to make

it," said Mrs. Caxto

Proud self-control kept it down, and she stood motionless, though it did not prevent the perceptible

ve him any message for me tha

words passed on any topic. Another h

rrow 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 som

on that met her, and tha

en gone! I'm so glad to have you home! I'm so glad to have

id Eleanor after the first salutations had s

ll, I believe; and mamma thought it

ectly cordial. Mrs. Powle seemed to have forgotten, or to be disposed to fo

urple muslin for you that will be beautiful. Your whole wardrobe will want attention, but I have everything ready-dress-maker and all-only waiting for you. Think of you

oon, m

you would immediately take a review of all your wardrobe and

into the notion of

we want a change. I think

omed her back right heartily. Made much of her in his way. He was the only one too who cared much to hear of Mrs. Caxton and her way of

as pluck enough for half a dozen. The only thing I have against her is

has, papa," Elean

t have an empty corner of their heads, where they will stick fancies if they don't stick flow

, s

business of the farm as she does. Your mother don't like the farm; but I think my sister is right. Better be

oing to leave

the Dragon! As

lence and then into extreme depression of spirits; which grew more and more, until she caught her little sister's eye looking at her wistfully. Julia had hardly said a word all dinner-time. The look smote Eleanor's conscience. "Is this the way I am doing the work given me?" she thought; "this selfish forgetting of all others in myself? Am I standing in my post like a good soldier? Is this 'pleasing all men for their good?'" Conscience thumped like a hammer; and Eleanor roused up, entered into what was going, talked and made herself pleasant to both father and mother, who grew sunshiny under the influence. Mrs. Powle eat the remainder of her dinner with more appetite; and the Squire declared Eleanor had grown handsome and Plassy had done her no harm. But Julia looked and listened and said never a word. It was very hard work to Eleanor, though it brought its reward as she went along, n

stfully, "are you sorr

you, darling; an

. Was it so much pleasan

ruggled wi

there were things that you and I b

ha

hing is for the world. I feel the difference just at fir

much about all that," s

t you must have loved

ake you sorry

e here for her to do! Yet she could hardly speak at first. Putting her arm round Juli

elp each other, J

wh

rist, and p

m?" said Julia. "Are

ter he loves, Julia; and I have come

ike all that,"

owing heavy. Julia half rose up and putting both

look as grave as if you had found us all dead. Elea

of wha

-afraid of M

ything. Besides, he is hundreds of mi

sn't; he

you mean

e isn't at the Priory;

he othe

two or three spring

sgiving that she was so escaped both from danger and from fear. Nevertheless she could not help thinking about the subject. It seemed that Mr. Carlisle's wound had healed very rapidly. And moreover she had not given him credit for

f Plassy with its different occupations sometimes came over her and for the moment unnerved her hands for the finery they had to handle. Once Eleanor took a long rambling ride alone on her