a magnificent creature," said Mr. Esthwaite. "Wouldn't she set
Sydney a fire, if she was to be here a little while! But somebody has
been beforehand with Sydney--so it's no use talking."

Eleanor was ready in good time for the drive, and with spirits entirely
refreshed by the night's sleep and the morning's renewing power. Things
looked like new things, unlike those which yesterday saw. All feeling
of strangeness and loneliness was gone; her spirits were primed for
enjoyment. Mr. and Mrs. Esthwaite both watched eagerly to see the
effect of the drive and the scene upon her; one was satisfied, the
other was not. The intent delight in Eleanor's eyes escaped Mrs.
Esthwaite; she looked for more expression in words; her husband was
content that Eleanor's mind was full of what he gave it to act upon.
The Domain was an exquisite place for a morning drive; and the more
stylish inhabitants of Sydney found it so; there was a good display of
equipages, varying in shew and pretension. To Mrs. Esthwaite's
disappointment neither these nor their owners drew Eleanor's attention;
she did not even seem to see them; while the flowers in the woods
through which part of the drive was cut, the innumerable, gorgeous,
novel and sweet flowers of a new land, were a very great delight to
her. All of them were new, or nearly so; how Eleanor contrasted them
with the wild things of Plassy which she knew so well. And instead of
the blackbird and green wren, there were birds of brilliant hues,
almost as gay as the flowers over which their bright wings went, and
yet stranger than they. It was a sort of drive of enchantment to
Eleanor; the air was delightful, though warm; with no feeling of
lassitude or oppression resulting from the heat.

There were other pleasures. From point to point, as they drove through
the "bush," views opened upon them of the harbour and its islands,
glittering in the morning sun. Changes of beauty; for every view was a
little unlike the others and revealed the loveliness with a difference.
Eleanor felt herself in a new world. She was quite ready for the
gardens, when they got through the "bush."

The gardens were fine. Here she had a feast which neither of her
companions could enjoy with her in anything like fellowship. Eleanor
had not lived so long with Mrs. Caxton, entering into all her pursuits,
without becoming somewhat well acquainted with plants; and now she was
almost equally charmed at seeing her dear old home friends,