"Why are you so sure? Aunt Matilda is going to England in April. And I won't travel with her. Travel with her would be unspeakable. I want to stay in Australia."
"Marry Tom," he said again, in malice.
"Why," she asked in amazement, "do you say that to me?" But he didn't know himself.
"A farm—" he was beginning, when a figure sailed up in the moonlight. It was Aunt Matilda. The two young people rose to their feet. Jack was silent and rather angry. He wanted to curl his nose and say: "It isn't done, Marm!" But he said nothing. Aunt Matilda did the talking.
"I thought it was your voices," she said coldly. "Why do you make yourself conspicuous, Mary? Mr. Blessington is looking for you in all the rooms."
Mary was led away. Jack followed. Aunt Matilda had no sooner seen Mary led out by Mr. Blessington for the Lancers, than she came full sail upon Jack, as he stood lounging in the doorway.
"Come for a little walk on the terrace, dear boy," she said.
"Can't I have the pleasure of piloting you through this set of lancers, Marm?" he retorted.
She stood and smiled at him fixedly.
"I've heard of y'r dancing, dear boy," she said, "and your father was a beautiful dancer. This Governor is very particular. He sent his A. D. C. to stop Jimmie Short reversing, right at the beginning of the evening."—She eyed him with a shrewd eye.