“Ah!  Bohemia is a pleasant place,” said Brian, absently, unconsciously quoting Thackeray, “but we all lose our way to it late in life.”

“At that rate we won’t lose our way to it for some time,” she said laughing, as they stepped into the drawing-room, so cool and shady, after the heat and glare outside.

As they entered Mr. Frettlby rose from a chair near the window.  He appeared to have been reading, for he held a book in his hand.

“What!  Fitzgerald,” he exclaimed, in a hearty tone, as he held out his hand; “I am glad to see you.”

“I let you know I am living, don’t I?” replied Brian, his face flushing as he reluctantly took the proffered hand.  “But the fact is I have come to say good-bye for a few days.”

“Ah! going back to town, I suppose,” said Mr. Frettlby, lying back in his chair, and playing with his watch chain.  “I don’t know that you are wise, exchanging the clear air of the country for the dusty atmosphere of Melbourne.”

“Yet Madge tells me you are going back,” said Brian, idly toying with a vase of flowers on the table.

“Depends upon circumstances,” replied the other carelessly.  “I may and I may not.  You go on business, I presume?”

“Well, the fact is Calton—­” Here Brian stopped suddenly, and bit his lip with vexation, for he had not intended to mention the lawyer’s name.

“Yes?” said Mr. Frettlby, interrogatively, sitting up quickly, and looking keenly at Brian.

“Wants to see me on business,” he finished, awkwardly.

“Connected with the sale of your station, I suppose,” said Frettlby, still keeping his eyes on the young man’s face.

“Can’t have a better man.  Calton’s an excellent man of business.”

“A little too excellent,” replied Fitzgerald, ruefully, “he’s a man who can’t leave well alone.”

“A propos of what?”

“Oh, nothing,” answered Fitzgerald, hastily, and just then his eyes met those of Frettlby.  The two men looked at one another steadily for a moment, but in that short space of time a single name flashed through their brains—­the name of Rosanna Moore.  Mr. Frettlby was the first to lower his eyes, and break the spell.

“Ah, well,” he said, lightly, as he rose from his chair and held out his hand, “if you are two weeks in town, call at St. Kilda, and it’s more than likely you will find us there.”

Brian shook hands in silence, and watched him pick up his hat, and move on to the verandah, and then out into the hot sunshine.

“He knows,” he muttered involuntarily.

“Knows what, sir?” said Madge, who came silently behind him, and slipped her arm through his.  “That you are hungry, and want something to eat before you leave us?”

“I don’t feel hungry,” said Brian, as they walked towards the door.

“Nonsense,” answered Madge, merrily, who, like Eve, was on hospitable thoughts intent.  “I’m not going to have you appear in Melbourne a pale, fond lover, as though I were treating you badly.  Come, sir—­no,” she continued, putting up her hand as he tried to kiss her, “business first, pleasure afterwards,” and they went into the dining-room laughing.