For Lady Bridget was evidently in a reactionary mood as regards letter-writing and Colin McKeith never put pen to paper, if he could avoid doing so, except on business.
It was at Mossvale that she read a florid paragraph in the Ladies' Page of a Sydney Journal, telling of the engagement of 'that intrepid Pioneer and future Empire-builder, Mr Colin McKeith, to the Lady Bridget O'Hara, niece of the late, and cousin of the present, Earl of Gaverick'.
Next post brought her three brief and characteristic letters.

She opened Lady Tallant's first: 'Government House, Leichardt's Town.
'DEAR MRS GILDEA, I do hope this may catch you before the newspapers, which I find announced the engagement rather prematurely last week.

I am still of opinion that Biddy might do much worse than marry Colin McKeith, though, ENTRE NOUS, the settlements--or rather want of them--for Mr McKeith tells us that he needs all his capital for making wells and buying cattle, and he won't injure his prospects and Biddy's by tying it up--does not at all please Sir Luke, who, before he would countenance the marriage, insisted upon a cablegram being sent to the Dowager Lady Gaverick.

Her answer: "Not my business, must do as she pleases," only confirms what I said to you, and I am afraid Biddy's chances are worth nothing in that quarter.
The wedding is to be early in May, from Government House, of course, and I need scarcely say how much we all hope you will come back for it.
Always sincerely, ROSAMOND TALLANT.
P.S .-- No doubt, Biddy is giving you full details.' But Biddy did not indulge either in details or rhapsodies.

She began: 'They say hanging and wiving go by destiny, and clearly my destiny is to become the wife of Collin McKeith.