lly got
ready; and before and after that was true, Eleanor's visits among her
neighbours and poor people were the same as ever. She had strength and
spirit enough for all calls upon either; and her sweet diligence seemed
to be even more than ever, now that work at Plassy was drawing towards
a close. Still Eleanor gathered the spoils of the moors and the
hedge-rows, as she went and came on her errands; climbed the mountain
on Powis and explored the rocks and the waterfalls on her way. As usual
her hands came home full. The house was gay with broom again in its
season; before that the violets and wood anemone had made the tea-table
and the breakfast table sweet with their presence. Blue-bells and
butter-cups and primroses had their time, and lovely they looked,
helped out by the yellow furze blossoms which Eleanor was very fond of.
Then the scorpion grass, of both kinds, proclaimed that it was summer;
and borage was bright in the sitting-room. Eleanor could hardly look at
it without an inward smile and sigh, remembering the cheering little
couplet which attached to it by old usage; and Julia from whose lips
she had first heard it; and the other lips that had given it to Julia.
Corn-marigold was gay again in July, and the white blackberry blossoms
came with crane's bill and flax, campion and willow-herb, speedwell and
vetchling. Any one well acquainted with the wild things that grow and
blossom in the land, might have known any day what time of the year it
was by going into Mrs. Caxton's sitting parlour and using his eyes.
Until the purple ling and loosestrife, gave place to mint and maiden
pink and late meadow-sweet; and then the hop vine and meadow saffron
proclaimed that summer was over. But ferns had their representatives at
all times.

Summer was over; and no chance for Eleanor's sailing had yet presented
itself. Preparations were all made; and the two ladies lived on in
waiting and in the enjoyment of each other, and doubtless with a
mixture of thoughts that were not enjoyment. But a very sweet even glow
of love and peace and patience filled the house. Letters were written;
and once and again letters had arrived, even from Mr. Rhys. They told
of everything going on at his station; of his work and pleasures; of
the progress the truth was making; and the changes coming even while he
looked, upon the population of the islands, their manners and
character. There never were letters, I suppose, more thoroughly read
and st