int. Here's long life to ye, Aulain. Heavens! but it is
good," and he sighed contentedly as he set down his glass again.

"Ye were asking about Forde?" he said as he wiped his red, perspiring
face. "Yes, he is giving up parsonifying. I had a letter from him by
the mailman yesterday from Fraser's Gully. He was staying there for the
night with our friend Gerrard."

Aulain's black brows knit, and his hand clenched under the table, as
Lacey went on,

"His mother has died, and left him some money. And very glad it is I am
to hear it, for a finer man I don't know."

"Much?"

"He didn't say; but I know that his mother was pretty well off. He
merely wrote me asking me to mention in the _Clarion_ that he was
leaving the Church, and was going South. Ye see, he has a power of
friends all over the country, and he just asked me to write a bit of a
paragraph saying he was going away, and regretted that he could not come
to Port Denison to preach next Sunday fortnight."

Aulain re-filled Lacey's and his own glass, "Lucky fellow! When is he
leaving Fraser's place?"

"He was leaving that morning for Boorala, and Fraser and his daughter
and Gerrard were going with him as far as the turn-off. By a bit of
good-luck, Gerrard--who also sent me a few lines--met Forde and Miss
Fraser on his way to the Gully. Here is his note," and he took a letter
from his pocket and handed it to Aulain, who read:

"Fraser's Gully.

"Dear Lacey,--As the Boorala mailman is calling here this
morning, I send you a line. I had the good fortune to come
across Miss Fraser and Mr Forde at Cape Conway, and we all
came on to her father's place together. I like Fraser. He's
a fine old cock. The parson, too, is a good sort As for Miss
Kate Fraser, she is a modernised Hotspur's Kate--a
delightfully frank and charming girl. I envy the lucky man
who wins her. I hope the boy has not got into any mischief,
and is giving you no trouble. Give Aulain my regards, and
tell him I delivered his letter sooner than I anticipated. I
leave for Kaburie this morning, and am to have the pleasure
of being accompanied by Fraser and his daughter. Tell Jim
that if he gets into any mischief whilst I am away, I'll
make it hot for him.--Sincerely yours,

"Tom Gerrard."

Aulain handed the letter back to Lacey. He was outwardly calm, but his
heart was surging with passion. What business had that d------d