The Old Helmet, Volume II

d's broad fi

bivouac

e dumb, dr

o in the

s. It was true. Eleanor was found to have something unique about her; some said it was her beauty, some said it was her manners; some insisted it was neither, but had a deeper origin; at any rate she was fresh. Something out of the common line and that piqued curiosity, was delightful; and in de

like those about her, in a world where self-interest of some sort is the ruling motive. It was not Eleanor's world; it had nothing to do with the interests that were dear in her regard; and something of that carelessness which she brought to it conferred a grace that the world imitates in vain. Eleanor found however after a little, that the rush and hurry of her life and of all the people about her had a contagion in it; her own t

ances that her curiosity cast, found him moving about among people very like, and in very exactly the manner of his old self. No difference that she could see. She wondered whether he w

ut he detained her, falling into talk with an ease or an effrontery which it was impossible not to admire. And Eleanor admired him involuntarily. Certainly this man had capacities. He did not detain her too long; passed away as easily as he had come up; but

Eleanor moved and spoke. Others noticed it, but Mr. Carlisle drew comparisons; and found to his mystification that her six months on a cheese-farm had returned Eleanor with an added charm of eye and manner, for which he c

marking, that your winter

it has," Elea

frankness, you

ling

sweet, the attraction was irr

cknowledge that all our last winter's w

, Mr. C

art in that transaction. Eleanor, I want you to forg

lady, drew near, and Mr. Carlisle yielded to her the place he had been occupying. The opportunity for an answer was gone. And though he was often nea

g escorts. In a measure, he assumed his old place beside her; his attentions were constant, gracefully and freely paid; they just lacked the expression which would have obliged and enabled her to throw them off. It was rather the manner of a brother than of a lover; but it was familiar and confidential beyond what those assume that are not brothers. Whatever it meant, it dissatisfied Eleanor. The

e exclaimed one morning bursting into Eleanor's room.

a. I am n

get her hat!-you said you would go, and I have no notion of disappoin

, ma

nse. What are you doing? studying? Nonsense! there's time

, ma

ir lower, Eleanor;

't Mr. Carl

he is? I hope he is. Yo

ano

Mr. Carlisl

en you come back, but now you must go. I should think Mr. Carlisle would like to be of the par

eration, even in matters that her mother knew were not after Eleanor's heart, as now when her heart was less in them than ever. And at this moment she was gratified

possible ways of hindering this in future; but for the present there was no remedy. Mr. Carlisle put her on her ho

e is this?

servant-I hope you have not forgott

ge to herself during the first few dainty dancing steps that Maggie made with her wonted burden. Nevertheless it was a great deal too much like old times that were destroyed; and glancing at Mr. Carlisle Eleanor saw that he was on Tippoo, and furthermore that there was a sparkle in his eye which meant hope, or triumph. Something put Eleanor on her mettle; she rode well that day. She

the figure had almost passed, or they had almost passed the person. But in passing he had raised his bat; she knew then he had recognized her, as she had known him; and he had recognized her in such company. And he was in Brighton. Without a mome

hys. I had to leave Plassy w

t you now," he sa

ve Brighton

don, and in a few days I e

or

Southern Ocean. I have an

isle had wheeled his horse after her, and that Tippoo was taking steps somewhere in

Rhys. "Do you find it as easy to l

and grave "no;" bending

committed to thy cha

nd the Lord

d went on his way. Eleanor turned her horse's head again and found herself alongside of Mr.

at I know?" he enquired as soon

now how good your memory may be. He is the gentleman

ered. Is he tutorin

just tells me he is ab

le, Maggie has a

aggie's bridle so that he could look up in Eleanor's face. "Only you l

beyond my m

unt Tippoo next time, and become acquainted with

, I

d not u

; "but I am afraid of mounting Tippoo; and wha

hould have expected from you. Do you say yo

eanor, turning her

-yes. Why does he no

ick to tutoring

r he would be in the way of better thin

e expectation of that

She spoke it with a mo

le, watching Eleanor's hand and stealthily her face; "but I

N

pular orator of great p

and

said Eleanor carelessly. "I must suppose that he likes work on the othe

on my part. I do not know how to conceive of promotion out of the regular line. In England and in the Ch

leanor smiling. "They are

Have you this feel

c in India wer

Would you

ew thought, you see. But I will tell you, I should think the humblest curacy in

d coming up closer, "your bridle hand has improved? It is ve

little

is hand again near enough to throw over a lock of Maggie's m

p to right some wrongs. People ought to live, if they are curates; and there was one where I was last wi

him at least with singular delight. Eleanor kept up the conversation with unflagging interest; it was broken by a proposal on Mr. Carlisle's part for a gallop, to whi

e assured her as he took her down from her h

I suppose,"

e was in a great state of satisfaction with her daughter to-day; Eleanor had shunned no company nor exertion, had carried an unusual spirit into all; and a minute with Mr. Carlisle after the ride had shewed him in a sort of exultant mo

can successfully imitate. No Lady Rythdale, he was obliged to confess, that ever lived, had better advanced the honours of her house, than would this one; could she be persuaded to accept the position. This manner did not use to be Eleanor's; how had she got it on the borders of Wales? Neither was the sweetness of that smile to be seen on her lip in the times gone b

ll not

, finding himself face

. I am afraid it is on

peculiar smile. "Hardl

inclined to qu

all, I believe," said the la

evening. He could not monopolize her, though. He was obliged to see her attention divided in part among other people, and to take a share which though perfectly free and sufficiently gracious, g

to her own room and locked the door. Then methodically she took off the several parts of her eveni

sea. They were Eleanor's only companions, and they never missed her from the w

that cold water could do in the way of refreshment, in spite of all that th

er room and found her lying down. "You are as white!-and black rings under

o if I could; but I believe I must lie still.

for herself. The next day she joined the riders again; and from that time held

ed the least power over her. She received him well, but as she received a hundred others. He was her continual attendant, but he never felt that it was by Eleanor's choice; and he knew sometimes that it was by her choice that he was thrown out of his office. She bewildered him with her sweet dignity, which was more utterly unmanageable than any form of pride or passion. The pride and passion were left to be Mr. Carlisle's o

aid exultingly to her husband. "I believe he'd

he?" growled

fashion," said Mrs. Powle chuc

it for?" said the S

e him value her properly. Sh

even from her mother. Mrs. Powle was a late riser. Julia, who was very much cast away at Brighton and went wandering about like a rudderless vessel, found out that Eleanor was dressed and using the sunshine long before anybody else in the house knew the day was begun. It was a golde

fter these oases in time had been discovered by

g by her open window, a book open on her la

as gone away from Engla

es

dreadfu

readful

ou know,-somewhere. Ar

ano

per-the mention of his g

one to that h

o. That is where

ulia. "How could he! where the peo

gotten? Don't you know w

ringly,-"but I should t

ere are as wicked

should be afraid. What h

d kill him, eas

at her. "What if they did, and he were called quick home to the court o

d Julia, "do yo

ink that is Mr

er head down on Eleanor's shoulder. "You see, nobody talked t

we'll talk about it," said Elean

in. "But Eleanor, what are your eyes

hand pressed upon her mouth, while the full eyes brimmed and ran over, and filled again; and drop after drop

at is it? What has made you sorry too?-" But

g her eyes; "and I suppose it is not very absurd to cry f

back some time," sai

r. She waited a little while. There was some difficulty in

follow the Lord a

ow

tever Jesus g

given us to d

ngs, we will read and find out. And

ightened and clouded

or! But what hav

e Je

hink I do now; only I have forgotten to

we shall find plenty o

I would like t

us, Julia. Come, darli

tie

that it is your duty

Julia. "But I

esus'

was so loving and gentle, it reached

him, Eleanor?" she aske

in the name of the Lord J

ies, Eleanor

u the opport

l-I

k for you to do, Julia, some time, for which you will want all these things that you have a c

anor!-tha

t is

thought of

id you

nstance, because everybody else learned French and

had given you

e it. Just her notio

you forget who it is that has given you your place in the world. You might have been

such things. Do you suppose all the girls who are learning French and German at school

God never gives the prepara

ey do not make t

ot be ready for it. When their work is giv

queer!" s

ha

ch things ab

rything. Whatever God gives you, he

possibly know

rnings, and you and I

must please all

ly-all y

otions a great deal

meet both," sai

mamma's notions. I don't thin

e, Julia. He has bid yo

for

e all mamma's notions

I can, c

should get you to the Priory after all. Are you g

N

please mamma's notions, why

ave my duty to ot

d Julia as qui

-and to Mr

e bound he thinks your duty to him

take a different vi

do you suppose I have

h and German for?

now now you have a bea

arning my le

and of good report. O

su

nd her sister's neck a

do, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.' Just think of that, whether you are busy or n

gave her sister a great many earnest caresses; and