"Do you know," she said, looking up in his face, "I do not know how it is, but you are the only person I ever was afraid of, where my natural courage had full play?"
"Does that sentiment possess you at present?"
"Yes—a little."
He laughed again, and said it was wholesome; and went off without seeming in the least dismayed by the intelligence. If Eleanor had ventured that remark as a feeler, she was utterly discomfited. She went about her pretty work of getting the little table ready and acquainting herself with the details of her cupboard arrangements, feeling a little amused at herself, and with many deeper thoughts about Mr. Rhys and the basket of fruit.
They were sitting in the study after dinner, alternately talking and studying Fijian, when Mr. Rhys suddenly asked,
"Of whom have you ever been afraid, Eleanor, where your natural courage did not have full play?"
"Mr. Carlisle."
"How was that?"
"I was in a false position."
"I feared that, at one time," said Mr. Rhys thoughtfully.