tations between the pair, it had been arranged that a civil
appointment in Sydney would best suit the bridegroom, who was to sell
out of the service. This notion was Frere's own. He never cared for
military duty, and had, moreover, private debts to no inconsiderable
amount. By selling his commission he would be enabled at once to pay
these debts, and render himself eligible for any well-paid post under
the Colonial Government that the interest of his father-in-law, and his
own reputation as a convict disciplinarian, might procure. Vickers would
fain have kept his daughter with him, but he unselfishly acquiesced in
the scheme, admitting that Frere's plea as to the comforts she would
derive from the society to be found in Sydney was a valid one.

"You can come over and see us when we get settled, papa," said Sylvia,
with a young matron's pride of place, "and we can come and see you.
Hobart Town is very pretty, but I want to see the world."

"You should go to London, Poppet," said Maurice, "that's the place.
Isn't it, sir?"

"Oh, London!" cries Sylvia, clapping her hands. "And Westminster Abbey,
and the Tower, and St. James's Palace, and Hyde Park, and Fleet-street!
'Sir,' said Dr. Johnson, 'let us take a walk down Fleet-street.' Do you
remember, in Mr. Croker's book, Maurice? No, you don't I know, because
you only looked at the pictures, and then read Pierce Egan's account of
the Topping Fight between Bob Gaynor and Ned Neal, or some such person."

"Little girls should be seen and not heard," said Maurice, between a
laugh and a blush. "You have no business to read my books."

"Why not?" she asked, with a gaiety which already seemed a little
strained; "husband and wife should have no secrets from each other,
sir. Besides, I want you to read my books. I am going to read Shelley to
you."

"Don't, my dear," said Maurice simply. "I can't understand him."

This little scene took place at the dinner-table of Frere's cottage, in
New Town, to which Major Vickers had been invited, in order that future
plans might be discussed.

"I don't want to go to Port Arthur," said the bride, later in the
evening. "Maurice, there can be no necessity to go there."

"Well," said Maurice. "I want to have a look at the place. I ought to be
familiar with all phases of convict discipline, you know."

"There is likely to be a report ordered upon the death of a prisoner,"
said Vickers. "The chaplain, a fussy but well-meaning person, has been