her. Grave, earnest
kisses, on brow and cheek, speaking a heart full of sympathy, full of
tenderness, full of appreciation of all that this decision of Eleanor's
involved, full of satisfaction with it too. A very unusual sort of
demonstration from Mrs. Caxton, as was the occasion that called for it.
Eleanor received it as the seal of the whole business between them. Her
aunt's arms detained her lovingly while she pressed her lips to every
part of Eleanor's face; then Mrs. Caxton went back to her place and
poured herself out another cup of coffee. Sentiment she had plenty; she
was not in the least bit sentimental. She creamed her coffee
thoughtfully and broke bread and eat it, before she came out with
another question.

"When will you go, Eleanor?"

Eleanor looked up doubtfully. "Where, aunt Caxton?"

"To Fiji."

There seemed to be some irresolution or uncertainty in the girl's mind;
for she hesitated.

"Aunt Caxton, I doubt much--my mother will oppose my going."

"I think she will. But I think also that her opposition can be
overcome. When will you write to her?"

"I will write to-day, ma'am."

"We must have an answer before we send any other letters. Supposing she
does not oppose, or that her opposition is set aside, I come back to my
question. When will you go?"

Eleanor looked up doubtfully again. "I don't know, ma'am--I suppose
opportunities of going only occur now and then."

"That is all--with long intervals sometimes. Opportunities for _your_
going would come only rarely. You must think about it, Eleanor; for we
must know what we are to tell Mr. Rhys."

Eleanor was silent; her colour went and came.

"You must think about it, my dear. If you write to Mr. Rhys to-day and
send it, we may get an answer from him possibly in twenty
months--possibly in twenty-four months. Then if you wait four or five
months for an opportunity to make the voyage, and have a reasonably
good passage, you may see your friend in three years from now. But it
might well happen that letters might be delayed, and that you might
wait much longer than four or five months for a ship and company in
which you could sail; so that the three years might be nearer four."

"I have thought of all that, aunt Caxton," Eleanor said, while the
colour which had been varying in her cheeks fixed itself in two deep
crimson spots.

Mrs. Caxton was now silent on her part, slowly finishing her coffee and
putting the cups together on the tray. She