A Colonial Reformer, Vol. 2 (of 3)

Ernest Neuchamp, a disgruntled English expatriate in colonial Sydney, grapples with his disdain for high society and his lingering curiosity. He receives an ornate invitation to a fashionable ball hosted by the von Schätterheim family, seeing it as a chance to encounter the intriguing Antonia Frankston. The narrative sketches his inner debate, mixing wit and self‑analysis as he prepares for the evening.

At the ball, Ernest navigates the glittering crowd, exchanging banter with Antonia about the contrast between London’s relentless season and the more modest colonial gatherings. Their conversation reveals his uneasy assimilation to a world of “wampum and warpaint” dress and the lingering taste of his former life. The story offers a lively portrait of colonial ambition, social performance, and the subtle rebellion of a man caught between two cultures.