She was the only woman of means who had ever gone up of her own free will to Rhodesia.

Other women had gone there to accompany their husbands, or to earn their livings; but that a lady should freely select that half-baked land as a place of residence--a lady of position, with all the world before her where to choose--that puzzled the Rhodesians.

So she was a marked person.

Most people solved the vexed problem, indeed, by suggesting that she had designs against the stern celibacy of a leading South African politician.

"Depend upon it," they said, "it's Rhodes she's after." The moment I arrived at Salisbury, and stated my object in coming, all the world in the new town was ready to assist me.