ot none," said Brandon; "I suppose mine are sent by Southampton."

"Well, I don't think they had good news, or papa's face looked rather
long, and he has been so quiet and dull ever since; so I am in hopes
that things are not going very well without him, and then we will have
another beautiful long voyage with you, and get back to dear, darling
Australia again. Harriett wants to go back too."

"What a chatterbox you are, Emily," said her aunt, who had finished her
song. "It is quite time you were in bed."

"Not quite, auntie; papa said I might sit up till ten tonight; and Mr.
Brandon and I are so busy talking about old times, that I do not feel
it a bit late."

"Old times, indeed," said Harriett; "what old times can a little chit
like you find to talk of?"

"Oh, the dear old times at Wiriwilta, when we were such friends; and,
the time that I cannot recollect of when there was the fire, and Peggy
and this old fellow saved our lives. I wish I could remember about
it--mamma does, though."

"Indeed I do," said Mrs. Phillips, with a tranquil expression of
satisfaction at the thought of the danger she had escaped. "We was all
in terrible danger, and all through that horrid doctor. Stanley should
have let me have my own way, and taken me to Melbourne; but he would
not listen to reason."

"Well, Lily, you are none of the worse now, and I hope you do not feel
it burdensome to be so much obliged to our old friend Brandon."

"Oh no, not at all."

"You need not be," said he, laughing; "don't attempt to make a hero of
me: a mere neighbourly good turn happened to have important
consequences. Peggy's conduct was far beyond mine."

"But you were badly scorched," said Emily. "Do let us see the scar on
your arm once more--I have not seen it in England." Brandon indulged
the child; turned up his sleeve, and Emily gave the arm a hug and a
kiss.

This was rather a strange exhibition for a drawing-room, Harriett
Phillips thought, but Brandon never was much of a gentleman. Even
Stanley had sadly fallen back in his manners in Australia, and what
could be expected of Brandon? Mr. Hogarth had more taste; he had the
dignified reserve of a man of birth and fortune; he had made remarks on
her musical performance that showed he was really a judge. It was not
often that she had met with any man so variously accomplished, or so
perfectly well bred. He had promised to accompany them to the
exhibition of paintings on the morrow, and she ha