| CHAPTER | PAGE | |
| [I]. | Another Rash Promise | 1 |
| [II]. | The Beginning of Troubles | 23 |
| [III]. | "Where there was never Need of Vows." | 40 |
| [IV]. | After the Ball | 66 |
| [V]. | Rachel's First Visit in Melbourne | 92 |
| [VI]. | In Mrs. Hardy's Store-room | 111 |
| [VII]. | "He Has Come Back" | 131 |
| [VIII]. | "The Light that never was on Sea or Land" | 151 |
| [IX]. | Eleven p.m. | 169 |
| [X]. | Mrs. Reade's Advice | 191 |
| [XI]. | Until Christmas | 228 |
| [XII]. | "The Ground-Whirl of the Perished Leaves of Hope" | 248 |
| [XIII]. | Rachel on the Philosophy of Marriage | 268 |
A MERE CHANCE.
CHAPTER I.
ANOTHER RASH PROMISE.
MR. KINGSTON, as soon as he received Mrs. Thornley's invitation, sent a telegram to her nearest post-town, to tell her he would start for Adelonga on the following day, and await at the inn where he left the railway the buggy she was kind enough to say should be sent to meet him.
There was much amusement at Adelonga over this unwonted promptitude on the part of an idle and self-indulgent man, who had never been known to hurry himself, or to go into the country willingly; and Rachel was teased in fun and congratulated in earnest on the strong hold she had gained upon his erewhile erratic affections.