ble things. But then I have never been
accustomed to ride in a carriage of my own. Riding on horseback was my
only means of locomotion at Barragong; and Melbourne, up to this time,
has no such luxury for ordinary people as a hackney-coach stand, so
that I cannot help being surprised at the cheapness and convenience of
cabbing it in London. Whereas both of you ladies have been accustomed
to private carriages, and must feel this very inferior."

"Oh, Alice! by the by, so you were, I suppose," said Miss Phillips.

"I preferred riding on horseback in those days," said Elsie; "but I
think the drives with Dr. Phillips, lately, were the most delightful
things I ever had in my life. After being quite debarred from anything
but walking so long, I feel this hackney-coach really luxurious, I
assure you."

"The drives in Derbyshire did you good, Miss Alice; you are looking
better than when you came down," said Mr. Brandon.

"Oh! much better," said Miss Phillips. "Papa said it was all nonsense
her being so alarmed about her health; but, both she and Miss Melville
were a little frightened--London suits her better than Edinburgh. I
have not heard you cough, Alice, for a week or more."

"Yes, my cough is quite gone," said Elsie; "and I have much better
spirits."

"But, by the by," said Miss Phillips, "I really want my bonnet to go
out with tomorrow. Your London smoke is dreadfully destructive. I had
no idea that mine was so bad till I put it on this bright day, and
really it looks too shabby to wear, though I had intended to make it
last another month. At home it would have looked better after three
months' wear than it does after three weeks here. You know, Mrs.
Phillips promised you should have it ready for me to go to the
exhibition of pictures tomorrow, by middle day," continued she.

"I fear," said Alice, "that I cannot get it done in time, for we have
been so much longer in Regent Street than I expected, and it will be
nearly dinnertime before we get home; and Mr. Phillips insists, that as
my cousin Francis is to dine with you today, I should be of the party."

"Indeed!" said Harriett, "and so you cannot finish my bonnet in
time--it is a great disappointment to me."

"Mr. Phillips would not allow me to refuse, I know; and Jane, too, is
anxious for me to have a talk with Francis."

"And you would like it yourself, too?" said Mr. Brandon.

"Yes, very much indeed," said Elsie, honestly.

"I will be glad to have the cha