His eyes were still upon his wife's slight figure as she moved slowly towards the veranda, with the air of one who has no more concern with the business in hand.

Her graceful aloofness, which he knew to be merely a social trick, stung him inexpressibly, the faint bow she had given Harris when he bade her good evening had seemed to include himself.

It galled him that he did not seem fitted by nature or breeding to cope with this kind of situation.

The half consciousness of inferiority put him still more at disadvantage with himself.
'Biddy, wait please,' he said dictatorially.
She paused at the steps, her hand on the railings, her eyes under their lowered lids ignoring him.
He went closer and spoke rapidly in a harsh undertone.
'I didn't tell you--though I rode ahead on purpose--I met a man at Tunumburra who said he knew you.

He's out from England--been staying at Government House, and brought a letter from Sir Luke Tallant.