She's A1 'erself, but she's got a mother....
By Job, Dick, if I thought Tilly 'ud ever get like that ...

and they're exactly the same build, too." It would certainly be well for him to inspect Purdy's flame, thought Mahony.

Especially since the anecdote told did not bear out the good impression left by the letter--went far, indeed, to efface it.

Still, he was loath to extend his absence by spending a night at Geelong, where, a, it came out, the lady lived; and he replied evasively that it must depend on the speed with which he could put through his business in Melbourne.
Purdy was silent for a time.

Then, with a side-glance at his companion, he volunteered: "I say, Dick, I know some one who'd suit you." "The deuce you do!" said Mahony, and burst out laughing.