of it."

It is needless for us to trace this conversation any further; as
doubtless, by this time, our reader will have formed some conception of
the "separation question." Suffice it to say, that though William, owing
to his having been living on the New South Wales side of the proposed
boundary, had heard very little of it, and that only to its prejudice,
it was a subject which absorbed the general attention of the Moreton Bay
community; and he, becoming impregnated with the same feeling, left
Rosehall a convert to the popular cry.

Soon after his arrival in town, he selected the furniture and other
things required on the station; and making arrangement with his agent
for their despatch by the return of the dray which was bringing down the
wool, he turned his face to his father's house, and in due time reached
New England, without the occurrence of any fresh adventure.

"I am so pleased that you have come, dear Willie," cried the blooming
and cheerful Kate, as she threw herself into William's arms when he
alighted from his horse at the door; "we have been expecting you for
some days, and began to think you had taken flight in some other
direction. I am so anxious to hear all about your doings, and to know
all those kind people, whose acquaintance you have made; particularly
those near you, whom John says I am to stay with. Are they nice people,
Willie? but I am sure they must be, or you wouldn't like them; but do
tell me what sort of a girl Miss Rainsfield is? John says so many fine
things about her; that she is a perfect angel, and all that sort of
thing; and that he has no doubt that, if I only have sufficient good
sense as to take her as my pattern, I will derive much benefit from my
visit. The impudent fellow, what does he mean by that, Will?"

"I don't know his precise motives, my little seraph," replied William;
"probably he thinks her quiet and serious manner would well accord with
his own little sister's nature; in preference to her volatile and
spirited character; and that her calm and dignified manner, would suit
you well in your new capacity of housekeeper. But I can support his
opinion that she is an amiable and charming creature; and I strongly
suspect that he is somewhat smitten with her."

"Well, then, I'll tease him dreadfully for giving me such a horrid
lesson," exclaimed Kate; "I can't be always serious like his Dulciana;
besides I don't think it so nice, do you, Will?"

"I don't indeed, my de