great bunches of fruit; the canopy of a cocoa-nut palm
fluttered slightly overhead; and various fruits that Eleanor did not
know displayed themselves along with the pine-apples that she did know.
This garden view seemed very interesting to Eleanor, to judge by her
intentness; and so it was for its own qualities, besides that a bit of
the walk could be seen by which she had come and the wicket which had
let her in and by which Mr. Rhys had gone out; but in good truth, as
often as she turned her eyes to the scene within, she had such a sense
of being herself an object of observation and perhaps of speculation,
that she was fain to seek the garden again. And it was true, that while
Mrs. Balliol plied her needle she used her eyes as well, and her
thoughts with her needle flew in and out, as she surveyed Eleanor's
figure in her neat fresh print dress. And the lady's eyebrows grew
prophetical, not to say ominous.

"She's too handsome!"--that was the first conclusion. "She is quite too
handsome; she cannot have those looks without knowing it. Better have
brought a plain face to Fiji, than a spirit of vanity. Hair done as if
she was just come out of a hair-dresser's!--hum--ruffle all down the
neck of her dress--flowing sleeves too, and ruffles round _them_. And a
buckle in her belt--a gold buckle, I do believe. And shoes?"

The shoes were unexceptionable, but they fitted well on a nice foot;
and the hands--were too small and white and delicate ever to have done
anything, or ever to be willing to do anything. That was the point. No
harm in small hands, Mrs. Balliol allowed, if they did not betray their
owner into daintiness of living. She pursued her lucubrations for some
time without interrupting those of Eleanor.

"Are you from England, sister?"

"From England--yes; but we made some stay in Australia by the way,"
said Eleanor turning from the window to take a more sociable position
nearer her hostess.

"A long voyage?"

"Not remarkably long. I had good companions."

"From what part of England?"

"The borders of Wales, last."

"Brother Rhys is from Wales--isn't he?"

"I do not know," said Eleanor, vexed to feel the flush of blood to her
cheeks.

"Ah? You have known brother Rhys before?" with a searching look.

"Yes."

"And how do you think you shall like it in Fiji?"

"You can hardly expect me to tell under such short trial," said Eleanor
smiling.

"There are trials enough. I suppose you expect those, do yo