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270 assured Lady Waveryng that she need have no fear as to the safety of the historic jewels, and seemed even prepared to emulate the Sancy feat in defence of her property. The troopers were also served with a "nobbler" apiece, and they were all sent to lie down on their blankets in the kitchen till it was time to start, Captain Macpherson taking the responsibility of awakening them.

Elsie went to bed, but not to sleep. Her room in the new house looked out towards the hut where Blake was lodged. She wondered if he were sleeping. She wondered if he was as miserable as she—no, that was impossible, or he could never have thrust her away so determinedly. She wondered what was the bar between them—she wondered, and her wonderings ended in sobs.

She heard the troopers ride away with the black boy who was to accompany them to Goondi and bring back the bankers' receipt for the diamonds in order to assure Lord Waveryng of their safe delivery. She heard the tramp of the horses' feet as the men rode towards the Crossing, lost at last in the more distinct sound of the Blacks' war cries.

Blake did not appear at breakfast, and nobody knew what time he had started for the Gorge. His horse had slept in the yard saddled by his half-castes, and it was supposed he had got it himself, and had ridden off before anyone was stirring. The corroboree had lasted late, and all the Dell hands, including the workmen employed on the new house, had been assisting thereat. The staid Mr. Prentiss enlivened his lord's dressing hour by accounts of the doings which would have proved that, as Lady Waveryng had said, the African Assassouis were not in it. Mr. Prentiss had an appreciation of local colour which delighted Lord Horace. Lady Waveryng declared that he also was contemplating a book of travels.

Lady Waveryng spent the morning in elaborating and copying her notes. The Jem Halletts started for Tunimba immediately after an early luncheon, arrangements having been made whereby the Waveryng party were to transport themselves to Tunimba in the following week. On this