etimes--and
that CAN'T last.... Besides, I've been breathing the strong clear air
of your gum trees lately. It's a case of pull devil--pull bushman. Do
you see?'

'I see, my dear, that you're idealising Colin McKeith, and let me tell
you that a bushman is very far removed from the super-man. Oh, Colin is
a fine enough specimen of a pioneer in a rough country. But his rough
life, his bush surroundings, and all the rest--why, he'd jar upon you
in a hundred ways if you were alone with him in them. Then--he's not of
your order--though I hate the phrase and I hate the kind of man. All
the same, Biddy, you may pretend to despise the men of your own class,
but I fancy that, after a spell of roughing it with Colin on the Upper
Leura, you'd hanker after something in them that Colin hasn't and never
will have.... And then,' Joan's swift imagination carried her on with a
rush, 'you don't know in the least the type of man he is. You'd have to
give in to him: he'd never give in to you. He's domineering, jealous,
vindictive and reserved. Before a month was out you'd quarrel, and
there would be no chance of your ever making it up again.'

'I must say, Joan, that for a friend of his you're not an enthusiastic
advocate.'

'It's because I'm so fond of Colin that I hate the thought of your
making him miserable. Anyway, however, you're bound to do that.'

'I don't see why.'

'If you flirt with him and then drop him, he'll suffer, though he'll be
too proud to show it. And as for the alternative, it's out of the
question. You must see that it would be sheer folly.'

'I've committed a great many follies,' said Bridget wistfully.

'But, so far, none that are quite irrevocable.'

'Well, he hasn't asked me yet to commit this one.'

'You're leading him on to it. Biddy, it is abominable of you to
encourage him as you do--coming here with him that day.... And you let
him take you riding....'

'Yes, he knows now that I CAN ride.'

'And he's at Government House nearly every day--I can't think what Lady
Tallant is about to ask him so often to dinner.'

'She likes him because he takes Luke off her hands. You know we've
nick-named him the Unconstitutional Adviser.'

'That's rubbish. You sing to him.'

'What harm is there in my singing to Colin McKeith?'

'As if you didn't know well enough that you're perfectly irresistible
when you look at a man while you're singing those Neapolitan things.
Biddy, it won't do. Give it up.'

'I can't