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282 as possible, and he shouldn't be surprised if there was to be a general election, and in that case no one knew what would happen.

Thus it was understood that Sir James Garfit meant to force the hand of the Government. The summer session had been a concession to public feeling. Nobody liked a summer session, and it meant an involved state of political business.

"Think, Em," cried Lord Horace, "the loss of your diamonds may be a turning point in colonial history—a defeat of the Ministry and an appeal to the country; and all because your vanity made you insist on dragging about these historic heirlooms."

"It was Waveryng's vanity, not mine. He didn't like the idea of my not appearing properly, and, you see, we knew we should be in the wake of the Prince everywhere," said Lady Waveryng, apologetically.

Nature had assisted Mrs. Jem Hallett in her endeavours. Never was there a more glorious September; never had Tunimba looked more beautiful. The pale green pods of the eucalyptus flowers were opening to let out their honied balls, the white cedars were a mass of lilac blossoms, and the chestnut trees by the creek spread their orange clusters. The young green of the quantongs showed in the scrub fringe, and here and there in the mountain gorges the flame tree shone like a burning bush. The race-course in front of the house was brilliant green, and covered with butter-cups and wild violets, and the cultivation paddocks were greener still. The flat-stone peach trees were covered with bloom, and so were the orange trees, making the air almost heavy with their fragrance. And roses rioted on the fences, and the wistaria was sweet, and the purple scrub plums were beginning to ripen.

"What a pity it is that Elsie is not going to be married this month!" somebody said. "We might all be smothered in real orange blossoms."

But Elsie said nothing. She had grown strangely silent these days, and from her manner would scarcely have been