Page:Coo-ee - tales of Australian life by Australian ladies.djvu/154

 hoarsely muttering ' cigars,' had fled the instant the curtain began to fall, and was no doubt at that very moment absorbing some liquid or another. It is amazing how much of that sort of thing they can do in this fiery climate, and yet retain whatever reason and liver Heaven has been pleased to bestow on them. 'No—yes,' I said, rather at random. It ended in my going, and boring my young friend a good deal. I could only manage to give him and his platitudes — which, to do him justice, he produced with marvellous ease and much good nature — ^just an atom of ear, the remainder, with all my eyes, had their work cut out for them in listening and looking for Miss Ariell and the brown head. I found them at last away in a corner, whispering. I could see the young woman distinctly, but nothing of the man but a dress coat and the flash of white linen. ' Do let us walk up and down,' I said, ' I am so tired of sitting.' The poor young man reached out his arm obediently, and we took a turn towards the brown head and the little black one which were close together in the shade of the wall. Ah, but I saw the profile plainly — unmistakeably ! I took care to let no chance likeness mislead me. It was — it was Vandeleur Fleming. 'Good gracious ! ' I ejaculated, in a choked sort of way, I fancy, for my escort stopped and looked concernedly at me. ' Can I get you an ice or anything, — 'tis a hot night for the time of year, — I'm sure you're thirsty?'
 * No, I'm not,' I said, laughing ; ' but I have no doubt