Page:Coo-ee - tales of Australian life by Australian ladies.djvu/113

Rh either in look nor manner was she more than friendly, scarcely that; for her eyes avoided mine, and when compelled to meet them without actual rudeness, there was something hard, almost defiant in them.

She told we what I already knew, that they did not start till the next day--and in all probability would never return to the colony, as the news received by the last mail did away with any necessity for again leaving England. I daresay she spoke about other things; but I felt dazed, and paid, I suppose, but little attention to what else she said, for I cannot recall the rest of our conversation.

While we were talking some strangers came in, and soon after Mr. Drummond and Mrs. Creek. The former gave me, for him, a cordial greeting; the latter began immediately to ask me the particulars of my adventure in the river.

'What's that?' exclaimed Mr. Drummond, looking at me in surprise; for from what he said on seeing me first, he had evidently thought I had come down on business, not knowing they were about to leave, and that I had made the journey in the usual way and time; and I had made no attempt to undeceive him, feeling, indeed, at that moment as if all and everything were a matter of utter indifference. 'What's that?'

'Hasn't he told you?' she said. 'Why, he was within an ace of being drowned. I have just got a telegram from Mr. Creek. Here it is, "River up--Verner nearly lost in crossing--Horse drowned."'

Who does not know that singular sensation when