e effort; they got leave to go down now. The flash of
joy in those she had been looking at, the deep tone of the low uttered,
"Oh, Eleanor!" which burst from him, made her feel on the instant as if
she were paid to the full, not only for all she had done, but for all
that life might have of disagreeable in store for her. Her eyes fell;
she stood still in a sudden trance of contentment which made her as
blind and deaf as another feeling had made her just before. Those two
words--there had been such a depth in them, of tenderness and gladness;
and somehow she felt in them too an appreciation of all she had done
and gone through. Eleanor was satisfied. She felt it as well in the
hold of her hand, which was taken and kept in a clasp as who should
say, 'This is mine.'

Perhaps it was out of consideration for her state, that without any
further reference to her he turned to Mr. Amos and claimed acquaintance
and brotherhood with him; and for a little while talked, informing
himself of various particulars of their journey and welfare; never all
the while loosing his hold of that hand, though not bringing her into
the conversation, and indeed standing so as somewhat to shield her. The
question of landing came up and was discussed. The skipper objected to
send the schooner's boat, on the score that it would leave too few men
on board to take care of the vessel. Mr. Rhys had only a small canoe
with him, manned by a single native. So he decided forthwith to return
to the village and despatch boats large enough to bring the
missionaries and their effects to land; but about that there might be
some delay. Then for the first time he bent down and spoke to Eleanor;
again that subdued, tender tone.

"Are you ready to go ashore?"

"Yes."

"I will take you with me. Do you want anything out of this big ship?
The canoes may not be immediately obtained, for anything but the live
freight."

He took the grey ship cloak from Eleanor's arm and put it round her
shoulders. She felt that she was alone and forlorn no more; she had got
home. She was a different creature that went into the cabin to kiss
Mrs. Amos, from the Eleanor that had come out.

"I've seen him!" whispered Mrs. Amos. "Eleanor! you will not be married
till we come, will you?"

"I hope not--I don't know," said Eleanor hurriedly seizing her bag and
passing out again. Another minute, and it and she were taken down the
side of the schooner and lodged in the canoe; and their