‘I hope I shall―but now that you think I may really make an attempt to fly off the nest, might we not settle something about the probability of a purchase to-night?’ ‘Yes―perhaps―yes,’ answered Paul, seating himself with a resigned and gloomy air. ‘I suppose you have heard of a place or two at the club. There’s a good deal of business done there. Has Jermyn Croker said anything to you further?’ ‘Scarcely, but a young squatter named Parklands has a place that seems suitable; he appears a nice fellow enough.’ ‘Oh! young Parklands―humph! Very nice boy―quite sharp enough, but I don’t suppose could let you in very extensively. Well, I’ll inquire to-morrow; better leave that part of it to me. I’ll see about Croker’s place also. Plenty of time. Market full of sellers, and very few buyers. Cash very scarce. But that’s all in your favour. Antonia!’ ‘Here, papa,’ said that young lady, joining them. ‘What is the matter? has anything happened, that you look so serious?’ ‘Well, that’s as it may be; Ernest here is bent upon buying a station at once, and I have been trying to show him the prudence of waiting.’ ‘But he can’t wait years and years,’ said Antonia, taking, to Mr. Neuchamp’s great joy, her powerful aid to his side of the suit. ‘I don’t think _you_ would have done it either, you impetuous old dear; didn’t some one run away to sea like a naughty boy, and come back in a ship of his own―eh?’ ‘And suppose I did, you saucy puss, didn’t I run the risk of being drowned, starved, burned, roasted alive, and all sorts of deaths; and if I had a son, I should think it my duty to warn him against the sea, as the worst profession in the world.’ ‘And he would think it his duty to go in spite of you. Not that Mr. Neuchamp would do anything contrary to your advice, I am sure,’ said Antonia with a becoming blush, ‘but I think he is wise in wishing to have a place of his own, and begin life in earnest. Besides, everybody says a cattle station is so pleasant, I almost think I could manage one myself.’ ‘Pity they should be so far from Sydney, or you might come and try,’ said Ernest, with a grateful inflection in his voice. ‘Waratah would distinguish herself in a camp, I feel sure.’ ‘I daresay we should do nearly as well as certain―hem―English people,’ said she mischievously. ‘I have always thought from what I have heard that life on a cattle station must be quite the romance of the bush. There is a sort of Bedouin flavour about it, with a necessity for good horsemanship that would fascinate me if I were a man.’ ‘Go and play something, like a darling,’ said the old man. ‘I feel a little like my namesake in the Bible―Saul, I mean―as if music could conjure the evil spirit out of me.’ It was finally settled, therefore, on that fateful evening, that Mr. Frankston should inquire about the station which Mr. Parklands had for sale, and decide whether it or that of Mr. Jermyn Croker would be the better investment.