Page 298 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

The convict servant, who had entered with some official
papers for the Major, stared at the dainty clergyman, and
rough Maurice laughed again.
‘Oh, it’s a stunning climate,’ he said; ‘and nothing to do.
Just the place for you. There’s a regular little colony there.
All the scandals in Van Diemen’s Land are hatched at Port
Arthur.’
This agreeable chatter about scandal and climate seemed
a strange contrast to the grave-yard island and the men who
were prisoners for life. Perhaps Sylvia thought so, for she
struck a few chords, which, compelling the party, out of
sheer politeness, to cease talking for the moment, caused
the conversation to flag, and hinted to Mr. Meekin that it
was time for him to depart.
‘Good afternoon, dear Miss Vickers,’ he said, rising with
his sweetest smile. ‘Thank you for your delightful music.
That piece is an old, old favourite of mine. It was quite a fa-
vourite of dear Lady Jane’s, and the Bishop’s. Pray excuse
me, my dear Captain Frere, but this strange occurrence—of
the capture of the wreckers, you know— must be my apol-
ogy for touching on a delicate subject. How charming to
contemplate! Yourself and your dear young lady! The pre-
served and preserver, dear Major. ‘None but the brave, you
know, none but the brave, none but the brave, deserve the
fair!’ You remember glorious John, of course. Well, good
afternoon.’
‘It’s rather a long invitation,’ said Vickers, always well
disposed to anyone who praised his daughter, ‘but if you’ve
nothing better to do, come and dine with us on Christmas