The pool of St Branok

Gervaise said: "I can't wait to see this hero."

When we were alone that night, he said: "The Captain is obviously a great admirer of your Ben, who is evidently a very forceful character. How do you feel about seeing him again?"

"I don't quite know."

"Will it bring it all back ... that time ... ?"

"I expect so. But, Gervaise, you have made me see that we couldn't have done anything else."

"I expect this leader of men has long realized that. I feel pretty sure that he will have forgotten all about it long ago."

"Does one ever forget such a thing?"

He took my face in his hands and kissed it tenderly.

"You might not, Angelet, but I'd bet that Ben has."

I nodded.

And I thought: Perhaps I shall soon find out.

I recognized him on the quay as soon as we arrived.

He was very tall and he seemed leaner than I remembered. His hair was so bleached by the sun that it seemed almost white against his bronzed skin; and his eyes were a brilliant blue; they were creased at the corners as though against the sun; and he had an authoritative air about him.

He saw us at once and came striding towards us.

"It's Angel," he cried. "I'd have known you anywhere. You've grown up, though, since I last saw you."

I was laughing. I said: "You too, Ben."

He put his arms round me and hugged me. He grinned at Gervaise whom he had decided must be my husband. "We're old friends," he said, as though apologizing for his exuberant and familiar welcome.

"I know," replied Gervaise with his charming smile. "I've heard a great deal about you from Angelet and this is Justin Cartwright and his wife Morwenna."

"Pleased you've come," said Ben. "I reckon you'll need a day or so in Melbourne before you come out to the Creek. I've booked you in at the Lord Melbourne. The baggage can go to the hotel. I expect you have brought quite a bit. I can arrange to have it all sent on to the Creek."

"Oh, Ben," I said, "you are so good to us."

The others agreed.

"It's nothing," he answered. "I'm glad you've joined the company. I can tell you we're starved of news of Home. The whole community is looking forward to your arrival. But now let's get you to the hotel and I'll tell you what arrangements have been made."

We were put in what I learned was called a buggy, and passing through streets where I glimpsed some pleasant-looking houses we had soon arrived at the hotel.

We were taken to a reception desk where a lady in black presided. I caught a glimpse of men sitting at tables drinking and others at a bar.

We were at length led up a wide staircase and along a corridor to rooms which looked out on the street below. Our room had an alcove in which were washing necessities, and we were agreeably surprised.

When the door shut on us, Gervaise turned to me and, picking me up, danced around the room.

"We're here," he cried. "Now ... to fortune."

"Oh, Gervaise," I said, "I do hope it turns out that way."

"Of course it will. We'll make it."

"Can we?" I asked.

He nodded with certainty.

Ben had told us that he was staying at the hotel for one night to settle us in. Then he would return to Golden Creek and we were to follow later.

Over dinner that first evening in Melbourne he explained a great deal to us.

He said: "You will find life down at the Creek somewhat rough, although it has improved a great deal since I came here. I expect you are a little surprised by what you have seen of this town. Is it not a little more civilized than you were expecting?"

We all said that Melbourne appeared to be a very fine city indeed.

"Stretch your imagination a little and you might be in a provincial town in England, eh? Well, almost. They've worked wonders here. It's all been happening since we got self-government."

"But surely this is a colony?" said Gervaise.

"What I mean is separation from the rest of Australia. When you talk of us you say 'The Colony of Victoria.' That's how we like it. The Queen of England granted us the right to separate ourselves and because of that we do her the honor of naming the colony after her. We're Victoria and she is pleased. One day I'll show you a cutting I have. I've kept it. It is a bit of history really. It's from The Melbourne Herald. 'Glorious news,' it states, 'Separation at last. We are an independent Colony.' "

"I should have thought," I said, "that it would be better if you all stood together."

Ben shook his head. "They are an independent people out here. Eighteen-fifty-one. That was the great year in the history of Victoria."

"It's the year we must have met," I said involuntarily.

He smiled at me. "That is absolutely right. There was the Great Exhibition going on in Hyde Park. And I appeared out of the blue. Quite a shock for my grandfather."

"Your grandfather is shock-proof."

"He is a little like his grandson perhaps."

The blue eyes were on me. Some understanding flashed between us. I knew he was thinking, as I was, of the man we had dragged into the pool.

He changed the subject abruptly.