"I have sometimes felt it a little too grand," the girl ventured to observe.
"So have I!" cried Jack. "You can't think how glad I am to hear you say that. It's my own feeling right down to the ground!"
"I don't mean to be rude," continued Olivia confidentially, seeing that they were still unobserved, "but I have often felt that I wouldn't care to live here altogether."
"No?" said the Duke, in a new tone; he felt vaguely dashed, but his manner was rather one of apologetic sympathy.
"No," she repeated; "shall you like it?"
"Can't say. I haven't weakened on it yet, though it is too fine and large for a fellow. Shall I tell you what I've done? I've fixed up a little place for myself outside, where I can go whenever I get full up of the homestead here. I wonder—if it isn't too much to ask—whether you would let me show you the little spot I mean?"
"Where is it?"
"In the pines yonder, on the far side o' the tank."
"The tank!"
"We call 'em tanks in Australia. I meant the lake. I could row you across, Miss Sellwood, in a minute, if only you'd let me!" And he met her doubtful look with one of frank, simple-hearted, irresistible entreaty.