He turned from her with a shrug of the shoulders.  “No, but I did.”

“You did?  Jack, what can you mean?”

Jack stooped to feel one of his animal’s hocks.  He spoke without looking at her.  “It’s been my great wish—­all this time.  I’ve been deuced anxious about you often.  Australia isn’t the place for unprotected girls—­at least, not out in the wilds.  I’ve seen—­more than enough of that.  And you’re no wiser than the rest.  You lost your head once—­over a rotter.  You might again.  Who knows?”

“Oh, really, Jack!” The girl’s face flushed very deeply.  She turned it aside instinctively, though he was not looking at her.  But the colour died as quickly as it came, leaving her white and quivering.

She stood mutely struggling for self-control while Jack continued.  “I know Fletcher.  I know he’s sound.  He’s a man who always gets what he wants.  He wouldn’t be a magistrate now if he didn’t.  And when I saw he wanted you, I made up my mind he should have you if I could possibly work it.  I gave him my word I’d help him, and I begged him to wait a bit, to give you time to get over that other affair.  He’s been waiting—­ever since.”

Dot’s hands clenched slowly.  She spoke with a great effort.  “Then he’d better stop waiting—­at once, Jack, and marry someone else.”

“He won’t do that,” said Jack.  He stood up again abruptly and faced round upon her.  “Look here, dear!  Why can’t you give in and marry him?  He’s such a good sort if you only get to know him well.  You’ve always kept him at arm’s length, haven’t you?  Well, let him come a bit nearer!  You’ll soon like him well enough to marry him.  He’d make you happy, Dot.  Take my word for it!”

She met his look bravely, though the distress still lingered in her eyes.  “But, dear old Jack,” she said, “no woman can possibly love at will.”

“It would come afterwards,” Jack said, with conviction.  “I know it would.  He’s such a good chap.  You’ve never done him justice.  See, Dot girl!  You’re not happy.  I know that.  You want to stretch your wings, you say.  Well, there’s only one way of doing it, for you can’t go out into the world—­this world—­alone.  At least, you’ll break my heart if you do.  He’s the only fellow anywhere near worthy of you.  And he’s been so awfully patient.  Do give him his chance!”

He put his arm round her shoulders again, holding her very tenderly.

She yielded herself to him with a suppressed sob.  “I’m sure it would be wrong, Jack,” she said.

“Not a bit wrong!” Jack maintained, stoutly.  “What have you been waiting for all this time?  A myth, an illusion, that can never come true!  You’ve no right to spoil your own life and someone else’s as well for such a reason as that.  I call that wrong—­if you like.”

She hid her face against him with a piteous gesture.  “He—­said he would come back, Jack.”

Jack frowned over her bowed head even while he softly stroked it.  “And if he had—­do you think I would ever have let you go to him?  A cattle thief, Dot!  An outlaw!”