‘I remember him well enough,’ said Paul; ‘it’s a good while since I heard his name. I have seen him ruffling it with the best, and the owner of a good station. He was not very fast either.’
‘And what ruined him?’
‘Partly bad luck, partly a careless, easy-going disposition. He thought more of his house, his stables, and his garden than he did of his stock, and that was the end of it. Mind you take warning by him.’
‘I hope I shall—but now that you think I may really make an attempt to fly off the nest, might we not settle something about the probability of a purchase to-night?’
‘Yes—perhaps—yes,’ answered Paul, seating himself with a resigned and gloomy air. ‘I suppose you have heard of a place or two at the club. There’s a good deal of business done there. Has Jermyn Croker said anything to you further?’
‘Scarcely, but a young squatter named Parklands has a place that seems suitable; he appears a nice fellow enough.’
‘Oh! young Parklands—humph! Very nice boy—quite sharp enough, but I don’t suppose could let you in very extensively. Well, I’ll inquire to-morrow; better leave that part of it to me. I’ll see about Croker’s place also. Plenty of time. Market full of sellers, and very few buyers. Cash very scarce. But that’s all in your favour. Antonia!’
‘Here, papa,’ said that young lady, joining them. ‘What is the matter? has anything happened, that you look so serious?’
‘Well, that’s as it may be; Ernest here is bent upon buying a station at once, and I have been trying to show him the prudence of waiting.’
‘But he can’t wait years and years,’ said Antonia, taking, to Mr. Neuchamp’s great joy, her powerful aid to his side of the suit. ‘I don’t think you would have done it either, you impetuous old dear; didn’t some one run away to sea like a naughty boy, and come back in a ship of his own—eh?’