"We thought you were never coming, daddy dear," said Miss Violet. "What in the world do men find to talk about when _we're_ not there? I suppose, though, that you were giving Sir Roland a lecture on colonial experience, and Frank had fallen foul of the shooting and fishing topics, or, worst of all, the great horse question! Ah! I see you look guilty, so I won't say any more about it." "I'm sure it's very natural, my dear," said Mrs. Lexington. "Of course Sir Roland knows as little of colonial life as your father does about English farming. Either experience would be valuable, you know." "I am not so sure of that," quoth the merry damsel, who appeared to be of independent mind. "I've rarely known dad take any one's opinion but his own; and as to advising new--er--that is--new arrivals in Australia, you remember what Jack Charteris said when somebody asked him to do so?" "Something saucy, no doubt." "Oh no; it was only to this effect--that if the young fellow had any common sense, he would soon find out everything for himself; and if he hadn't, nothing that you could say would do him any good." "I am afraid that you will give Sir Roland a strange idea of Australian young ladies' manners. For a change, Marion might try this lovely piano. It's almost new; too good for a bachelor's establishment." Massinger winced a little, but did not explain that, as the adored personage had once been inveigled into joining an afternoon tea at the Court on the way back from a tennis match, of which he had received timely notice, he had ordered a new grand piano to be sent down from London, so that it might be ready for her divinely fair fingers to essay. "The other one," he replied, carelessly, "was rather old--had, indeed, been sent up to a morning-room; just did for practising on when ladies were in the house." "I should think it did," said Miss Lexington, indignantly. "Why, it's better now than half the people have in their drawing-rooms. I'm afraid you won't make much of a fortune in Australia if you're so extravagant. Three hundred and fifty pounds' worth of pianos in a house with a family of _one_!" "I'm like the man in your sister's story, Miss Lexington," said he, smiling at the girl's earnestness. "Advice will be thrown away upon me. But perhaps I may improve after a few months." "Months!" said the girl; and a sudden look almost of compassion changed the lustre of her dark grey eyes. "How little you know of the _years_ and years before you!--the changes and chances, the bad seasons, the dull life; and then perhaps nothing at the end--absolutely nothing! And to come away from this!" And she looked round the noble room, which, if not magnificently furnished, was yet replete with modern comfort, and had, in the priceless pieces of carved oaken furniture, the air of ancient and long-descended possession. "How _could_ you?" He turned and faced her with an air of smiling but irrevocable decision.