face.

When the two had gone, Old Roses sat in his room, a handful of letters,
a photograph, and a couple of decorations spread out before him, his
fingers resting on them, his look engaged with a far horizon.

The Governor came. He was met outside the township by the citizens and
escorted in--a dusty and numerous cavalcade. They passed the Inspector's
house. The garden was blooming, and on the roof a flag was flying.
Struck by the singular character of the place Lord Malice asked who lived
there, and proposed stopping for a moment to make the acquaintance of its
owner; adding, with some slight sarcasm, that if the officers of the
Government were too busy to pay their respects to their Governor, their
Governor must pay his respects to them. But Old Roses was not in the
garden nor in the house, and they left without seeing him. He was
sitting under a willow at the billabong, reading over and over to himself
the address to be delivered before the Governor in the evening. As he
read his face had a wintry and inhospitable look.

The night came. Old Roses entered the dining-room quietly with the
crowd, far in the Governor's wake. According to his request, he was
given a seat in a distant corner, where he was quite inconspicuous. Most
of the men present were in evening dress. He wore a plain tweed suit,
but carried a handsome rose in his button-hole. It was impossible to put
him at a disadvantage. He looked distinguished as he was. He appeared
to be much interested in Lord Malice. The early proceedings were
cordial, for the Governor and his suite made themselves agreeable, and
talk flowed amiably. After a time there was a rattle of knives and
forks, and the Chairman rose. Then, after a chorus of "hear, hears,"
there was general silence. The doorways of the room were filled by the