Page:Authors daughter v1.djvu/223

Rh The name, therefore, was so pertinaciously adhered to after the original cause of it had long been worn out, that all Mr. Lufton could do was to alter the spelling, and his mother and sisters at home thought it rather a euphonious and almost classical name compared to others in Australia that they had heard mentioned.

Mr. Prince, since the departure of the Hammonds, had led a wandering life among the neighbouring sheepfarmers, who were very glad of the company of an idle educated man who liked a little sport, and who could take a hand at picquet or whist in the evenings. Mr. Prince had heard a good deal about the Lindsays and their guest, but had never happened to meet them before. He was struck with the tall, handsome, powerful young Scotchman, with his capacious forehead, his gracious expression, and his great natural dignity. If Amy .had improved in her appearance since her arrival at Branxholm, Allan had also gained much. As his mind had opened and his thoughts had been directed to other things than the daily work which he still did faithfully and well, his expression had softened, and his whole countenance and bearing had become less countriﬁed. But Allan always looked best at home in his own house among his own avocations; and now when Mr. Lufton was