delivered, and then returned and pulled rein in front of the Woolpack
Hotel. A tall young gentleman in a mackintosh and cap, who had been
standing on the veranda, stepped out on the street as the coach stopped,
and lifting his cap and thrusting his head into the coach, inquired,
"Which is Miss Melvyn?"

Seeing I was the only occupant, he laughed the pleasantest of laughs,
disclosing two wide rows of perfect teeth, and turning to the driver,
said, Is that your only passenger? I suppose it is Miss Melvyn?"

"As I wasn't present at her birth, I can't swear, but I believe her to be
that same, as sure as eggs is eggs," he replied.

My identity being thus established, the young gentleman with the greatest
of courtesy assisted me to alight, ordered the hotel groom to stow my
luggage in the Caddagat buggy, and harness the horses with all
expedition. He then conducted me to the private parlour, where a friendly
little barmaid had some refreshments on a tray awaiting me, and while
warming my feet preparatory to eating I read the letter he had given me,
which was addressed in my grandmother's handwriting. In it she told me
that she and my aunt were only just recovering from bad colds, and on
account of the inclemency of the weather thought it unwise to come to
town to meet me; but Frank Hawden, the jackeroo would take every care of
me, settle the hotel bill, and tip the coach-driver. Caddagat was
twenty-four miles distant from Gool-Gool, and the latter part of the road
was very hilly. It was already past three o'clock, and, being rainy, the
short winter afternoon would dose in earlier; so I swallowed my tea and
cake with all expedition, so as not to delay Mr Hawden, who was waiting
to assist me into the buggy, where the groom was in charge of the horses
in the yard. He struck up a conversation with me immediately.