"There is the whole breadth of the earth between us."
"Ships traverse it," said Mrs. Caxton coolly.
"Do you mean that he is coming home?" said Eleanor. Her face was a study, for its changing lights; too quick, too mingled, too subtle in their expression, to be described. So it was at this instant. Half eager, and half shame-faced; an unmistakeable glow of delight, and yet something that was very like shrinking.
"No, my love," Mrs. Caxton made answer—"I do not mean that. He would not leave his place and his work, even for you."
"But then, ma'am—"
"What all this signifies? you would ask. Are you sorry—do you feel any regret—that it should be made known to you?"
"No, ma'am," said Eleanor low, and hanging her head.
"What it signifies, I do not know. That depends upon the answer to a very practical question which I must now put to you. If Mr. Rhys were stationed in England and could tell you all this himself, what would you say to him in answer?"
"I could give him but one, aunt Caxton," said Eleanor in the same manner.
"And that would be a grant of his demand?"