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Rh cut up and covered with little wooden houses, in which then lived the genteel poor of Leichardt's Town society.

The verandah at Riverside, as the Valliant's cottage was named, had a trellis of Cape jasmine and thumbergia, and in one corner of it Elsie had established herself with her sewing machine and a garden table, on which were her books and workbasket. The soft April wind from the river fanned her cheeks, and had a touch of chill. Winter was close at hand. The poinsettia was beginning to flaunt its red leaves, and the bougainvillea that covered the verandah roof had a tinge of pale mauve. Elsie was working diligently, and she made a pretty picture as she bent over the machine. She was so busy, and the treadle of the machine made such a noise that she did not hear the garden gate click, and it was not till a shadow came between her and the light that she looked up and saw Blake.

"How do you do, Miss Valliant?" he said quietly. "I should have been here before, but that I did not get to Leichardt's Town quite as soon as I expected; that is, I got here the evening of the day I left Tunimba, but I had to go away again immediately."

Elsie got up from the machine and gave him her hand. She was oddly confused. "I am sorry that my mother is not at home: she has gone over to the North Side. Will you sit here, or would you rather go in?"

"I would much rather sit here, if I may? "He drew forward a canvas chair. "I don't recognize you in your new character. I never saw you sewing before. What is it—a gown? It looks very pretty." He touched the delicate fabric which Elsie was hemming and gathering into frills.

"You will see me wearing it," she said; "and I wonder if you will like me in it—white muslin. It sounds very innocent and Miss Edgeworthish, doesn't it? but it is to be glorified white muslin—copied from the print of somebody's picture—a Romney, I think."

"Yes, Romney would have found you a delightful model