"Mr. Grigson."
"What brings you here?" asked Tom, sternly.
"I am going abroad," answered Walter, submissively; "I can't stop in England, and I am going to Australia. But I didn't think it any harm to have a last look at Sarah before going. I didn't mean any harm," he added.
"I daresay not, Wilson; but after all that has passed, I think you are very unwise."
"I have been a fool from beginning to end," said Walter, impetuously. "I was a fool to listen to what they said at home about Sarah. I was a fool not to listen to what Tincroft would have told me; but I wouldn't hear him. And I am a fool now, I daresay, for coming all this way to ask Sarah's pardon, as I mean to do, for having mistrusted her ever, before going out of the country. But this is what I am come here for."
"Come this way, Wilson, and tell me all about it," said Tom Grigson, more mildly, as he drew the young man from the thickest of the crowd into the more secluded parts of the river-side walk.
Walter's story was soon told. By some means or other, which we need not stay to explain, he had been convinced of the wrong he had done to his cousin by his unworthy suspicion. Torn with remorse for his unkindness, and indignant with the mischief-mongers who had stepped in between himself and his long-hoped-for happiness, he was seized with serious illness, which for a time threatened first his life and then his reason. From this danger, however, he was rescued mainly by the care and sympathy of his friends the Burgesses; and eventually recovering, humbled also by the severe discipline he had undergone, he endeavoured to settle down again to business. But the attempt was unsuccessful.
The object of life, so far as his future happiness was concerned, was lost; and alienated from his own family, he suddenly resolved to banish himself for ever from the scene of his bitter disappointment. It was at a time when wonderful stories were told of the opening for industry and enterprise in the Australian colonies; and what could he do better than put half the circumference of the world between himself and his lost hopes? He had earned the means for the voyage, and something more, during his business connection with his friend Ralph; and, better than this, he had obtained a practical knowledge of the profession which, above all others, was at that time in request in the strange land of which so much began to be told.
But he must see his cousin before bidding farewell to home—must ask her forgiveness for his cruelty—must be reconciled to his successful rival, and then—
"You must do nothing of the sort, Wilson," said Tom, who had listened to him patiently thus far, and who had witnessed the effect of Walter's unexpected appearance. "But you have not yet explained by what evil chance you came upon us just now."