when he went to Sydney, and had 'em sent up with his
luggage in Mr. Dawson's drag.

Though he didn't seem to notice anything, I saw that he knew us. He
looked round for a moment, and smiled at Aileen.

'That's a pretty girl,' he said to one of the young fellows; 'evidently
from the country. I must get introduced to her.'

'Oh, we'll introduce you,' says the other man. 'They're not half bad
fun, these bush girls, some of them.'

Well, a new dance was struck up by the band just after they'd got up to
the top of the room, and we saw Starlight taken up and introduced to a
grand lady, the wife of the head banker. The Commissioner and some of
the other big wigs danced in the same quadrille. We all moved a bit
higher to get a good look at him. His make-up was wonderful. We could
hardly believe our eyes. His hair was a deal shorter than he ever wore
it (except in one place), and he'd shaved nearly all but his moustache.
That was dark brown and heavy. You couldn't see his mouth except when
he smiled, and then his teeth were as white as Warrigal's nearly and as
regular. There was a softness, too, about his eyes when he was in a good
temper and enjoying himself that I hardly ever saw in a man's face. I
could see Aileen watching him when he talked to this lady and that, and
sometimes she looked as if she didn't enjoy it.

He was only waiting his chance, though, for after he'd had a dance or
two we saw him go up to one of the stewards. They had big rosettes on,
and presently they walked round to us, and the steward asked the favour
of Aileen's name, and then begged, by virtue of his office, to present
Lieutenant Lascelles, a gentleman lately from India, who had expressed
a wish to be introduced to her. Such a bow Starlight made, too. We could
hardly help staring. Poor Aileen hardly knew whether to laugh or to cry
when he sat down beside her and asked for the pleasure of a dance.

She wouldn't do that. She only came there to see him, she said, and me;
but he persuaded her to walk round the room, and then they slipped into
one of the supper-rooms, where they were able to talk without being
disturbed, and say what they had in their hearts. I got Gracey to take
a turn with me, and we were able to have our little say. She was, like
Aileen, miserable enough and afraid to think of our ever having the
chance of getting married and living happy like other people, but she
told me she would wait and remain faithful to me--if it was to he