in those instances where the choice has been from a wide circle of admirers; and when Miss Orme exchanged a fair amount of balls and parties, combined with frequent opportunities of shopping and familiar visiting, and a house in Adelaide where papa was in easy circumstances and hospitably inclined, and where there was a large and pleasant family of brothers and sisters, for a sheep station in a remote and almost unapproachable district where there were few comers and goers, and for the company of a good—hearted and tolerably sensible but very unromantic husband, every one had something to say about the unsuitableness of the sphere she had chosen.
The cares of a young family were exacting, still Mrs. Troubridge would have ridden about a great deal if there had been any neighbour to visit or any friend to accompany her on her rides. When she could prevail on a sister or young lady friend to come out to Richlands for a three or six months' visit she used to ride with her to great distances, and, after the fashion of the fox who had lost his tail, she used to recommend bush life to her visitor, and beg her to take compassion on poor Mr. Lufton and give her a neighbour. He was only thirty-eight, and though not rich, he was getting on; he was of very domestic habits and very fond of ladies' society.
