‘Bill,’ said Alec, before they separated for the night, ‘I have had an important letter from England: and I am going home. I spoke to Martin; and he will send someone to take my place to-morrow.’ ‘When d’you start?’ asked Bill, after a pause. ‘At daybreak.’ ‘What are you going to do with Brown Jim?’ ‘I shall ride him to Clifford’s, and catch the stage there.’ ‘You think of selling him?’ ‘I shall leave him to you, Bill.’ ‘For my own?’ ‘Of course.’ ‘Thank’ee.’ ‘Good-night, Bill.’ Half an hour afterwards Alec suddenly awoke. ‘Who’s there?’ he shouted. ‘It’s only me,’ said the voice of Bill Cutbush. ‘I say, y’know, it was sort of partickler good in you to give me Brown Jim. He’s the best hoss for a long way round. I’ll take good care on him. Thought you’d like to know.’ And before Alec had time to reply, Bill had vanished. * * * * * Before two months had passed, Alec was once more in London. And without waiting to see the solicitor who had charge of his late cousin’s property, he went down to Brighton the same day. To his disappointment, however, he found that Blake and his wife were not at home, and would not probably be back till the evening. Alec spent the rest of the day in wandering about the pier and the streets, feeling more lonely than he had been in the Australian bush. It was late in the afternoon, and he was strolling aimlessly along the seashore, when happening to look towards the cliffs he caught sight of Laura Mowbray. Yes, it was she; a glad surprise shining in her eyes. Alec rushed up to her, holding out both his hands. ‘Oh, how are you? I am so glad to see you!’ he cried. Laura gave him her right hand without speaking, but Alec seized her left as well, and held it, while his eyes devoured her face. ‘Won’t you give me a word of welcome?’ he asked. ‘Welcome back to England!’ she said, gently disengaging her hands. Then they walked on side by side. ‘When did you return?’ asked Laura. ‘I only reached London this morning.’ ‘Had you a pleasant voyage?’ ‘Yes; but I want to hear about you. I want to know so much.’ ‘No, no; you shall tell me all about Australia, and what you have been doing all this time.’ There were plenty of topics for conversation, and an hour went by before they noticed that the sun was near his setting. ‘I must take the children home,’ said Laura. ‘They are under my charge, you know.’ ‘The children? Where are they?’ ‘Playing over there. Oh! I have been keeping an eye on them all the time. I have not been so careless as you think.’ ‘You cannot imagine,’ said Alec, as they walked over to the children’s encampment, ‘how strange it seems to me that I am here, walking by your side. I can hardly believe it to be true.’