--I would ask point-blank to
see her--I would speak to you about it, if I were in his place. It is
cowardly in Brandon."

"Why, Francis, you are very unreasonable. Elsie refused him as
positively and uncompromisingly as possible on her way down to
Derbyshire. I do not think she would do so now; but how is he to know
that?"

"I would hint as much to him, if I were you. Why, Jane, a word from you
might secure your sister's happiness for life, and you shrink from
saying it."

"Indeed I do," said Jane. "I think no good can come from interfering in
such matters, and I am particularly ill-adapted for such a delicate
communication. Besides, if one may judge by the last few weeks, it is
Miss Phillips who ought to receive the offer of marriage, and not
Elsie. If her brother were to ask what Mr. Brandon's intentions are, as
he might very well do, the result would be a marriage of two very
ill-assorted people. She cannot comprehend the real goodness and
simplicity of his character, and despises the man whom she is scarcely
worthy to wait on. She even looks down on her generous brother; she has
no love for her brother's children, and no sympathy with anyone. I am
really very glad to observe, with you, that her influence with Mr.
Brandon has decreased of late; but he certainly has paid her a great
deal of attention, and she expects a proposal."

"Her face has no charm to me," said Francis. "Taken feature by feature
it is handsome enough; but it wants play and variety, and it has not
the perfect harmony of Mrs. Phillips's. That is a singularly beautiful
index to a soul that appears to be nothing particular. I have heard it
said that we have all our ugly moments. Have you ever seen such a time
with Mrs. Phillips?"

"There are times when she certainly does not look beautiful to me, nor
to Elsie either. But I wanted to speak to you of your own affairs. I
had letter from Tom Lowrie this morning, in which he says that he hears
from one of his old schoolfellows that you have been asked to stand for
the Swinton group of burghs, and that every one says you will easily be
able to carry them over the duke's man."

"Ah! has he heard about it? I should have told you of it, but the more
pressing personal interest of the letter from Melbourne, Mr. Phillips's
strange agitation, and this mysterious spiritual communication, put it
out of my head for the time, and a word from you would put it aside for
ever," said Francis, with the old wistful