ve--the perfect Governor; a man of
blameless and enviable life, and possessed abundantly of discreetness,
judgment, administrative ability and power; the absolute type of English
nobility and British character."

He dropped the paper from before his face, and his eyes met those of the
Governor, and stayed. Lord Malice let go a long choking breath,
which sounded like immeasurable relief. During the rest of the
speech--delivered in a fine-tempered voice--he sat as in a dream, his
eyes intently upon the other, who now seemed to recite rather than read.
He thrilled all by the pleasant resonance of his tones, and sent the
blood aching delightfully through Victoria Lindley's veins.

When he sat down there was immense applause. The Governor rose in reply.
He spoke in a low voice, but any one listening outside would have said
that Old Roses was still speaking. By this resemblance the girl, Vic,
had trailed to others. It was now apparent to many, but Dicky said
afterwards that it was simply a case of birth and breeding--men used to
walking red carpet grew alike, just as stud-owners and rabbit-catchers
did.

The last words of the Governor's reply were delivered in a convincing
tone as his eyes hung on Old Roses' face.

"And, as I am indebted to you, gentlemen, for the feelings of loyalty to
the Throne which prompted this reception and the address just delivered,
so I am indebted to Mr.--Adam Sherwood for his admirable words and the
unusual sincerity and eloquence of his speech; and to both you and him
for most notable kindness."

Immediately after the Governor's speech Old Roses stole out; but as he
passed through the door where Vic stood, his hand brushed against hers.
Feeling its touch, he grasped it eagerly for an instant as though he
were glad of the friendliness in her eyes.

It was just before dawn of the morning that the Governor knocked at the
door of the house by Long Neck Billabong. The door opened at once, and
he entered without a word.

He and Old Roses stood face to face. His countenance was drawn and worn,
the other's cold and calm. "Tom, Tom," Lord Malice said, "we thought you
were dead--"

"That is, Edward, having left me to my fate in Burmah--you were only
half a mile away with a column of stout soldiers and hillmen--you waited
till my death was reported, and seemed assured, and then came on to
England: to take the title, just vacant by our father's death, and to
marry my intended wife, who, God knows,