Harold Edward Bindloss

“ Acton laid a handful of cigars on the table, and drew out a chair for Nasmyth.
"Well," he replied reflectively, "there is a good deal in this country that would interest a sensible man, but I'm not sure that's exactly what has kept Mr. Wisbech so long in Victoria. I've a point or two to mention later, but I'll let him speak first. It's his affair."
Nasmyth sat down, and he did not immediately notice that while Acton had placed his chair where the light struck full upon his face, Wisbech sat a little farther back in the shadow cast by the shade of the lamp. ”

“ Nasmyth turned to Wisbech, and his voice was strained.
"I am under many obligations to you already, sir, but I'm sorry I can't profit by your generosity in this case," he said.
"Why?" queried Wisbech sharply.
"It's a little difficult to explain. You see, the idea of lowering the river was mine. Some of the boys up yonder have mortgaged their ranches, and put every dollar they could raise in that way into the scheme. They look to me to put the thing through; so that they may get their money back again."
"Is there no one else who could do that?" Acton asked. ”

“ They're getting elderly, and are open to take in a younger man—a man of education, who has some acquaintance with the work that's done in the Bush. He must take hold now, and hold stock in the concern. Here's the last letter they wrote me."
He passed it across to Nasmyth, whose face grew eager, and then suddenly hardened again. The concern in question was, as he had heard, one of excellent repute, and supposed to be carrying on a profitable mining business.
"It's out of the question that I should raise the capital," he said.
"The money can be raised," Wisbech broke in quietly. ”

“ There are many men, and among them men of education, in those Western forests who, having once taken up the axe and drill, can never wholly let them go again. These men grow restless and morose in the cities, which seldom hold them long. ”

“ She has been accustomed to comfort of every kind and cheerful society, and there can't be very much of either in the Bush; while, if you undertake any further work of the kind you suggest, it would be a few years before you made your mark. Now, I'm not sure it would be reasonable to expect a young woman like Miss Hamilton to wait indefinitely."
Nasmyth flushed a little. "I think," he replied, "that is a question which concerns Miss Hamilton and me alone."
Acton leaned forward in his chair. "Mrs. Acton seems to fancy it concerns her, too. ”