nt or convenient,"
said her husband. "I think things will go on much more comfortably
there if Miss Melville continues with us; and after all their exceeding
kindness and care of our poor dear children during their illness, I
know that you too must be disinclined to leave them behind us."

"Oh, yes! really they were very good to the children. I was not strong
enough to do much for them myself; and I don't feel inclined for the
voyage just at this time. Let us go overland, and it will be sooner
over."

"No; we cannot go overland; there is very little pleasure going
overland with four young children, and as I suppose you will want one
servant, as well as Miss Melville and Alice, you must think of the
expense."

"I hate the sea, and you know I must be on shore before the end of
February. And you recollect Mr. Brandon, for all his
difficulties--saying he was ruined and all that sort of thing--would
have gone overland, if he had only had his letters soon enough."

"Because he was only one, or, with Edgar, two, and time was of more
importance to him than the difference in passage-money. A fine long
voyage will restore our children to health, and it does not matter to
me being a month or two longer on the voyage. I think we are sure to be
in Melbourne time enough for you. If it were only you and myself, Lily,
there is nothing I should like so much as the overland route. There is
so much that I should like to see and to show to you, but under present
circumstances it is impossible."

No arrangement could have suited Jane and Elsie so well as Mr.
Phillips's proposal, as a personal favour to himself, that they should
accompany his family to Melbourne. It was the destination they had long
aimed at; and as they were neither of the station nor qualifications to
obtain free passages in any immigrant ship, they joyfully agreed to his
liberal offer.

"But," said Jane, "we must be perfectly frank with you. We have had a
great desire to begin business in Melbourne together. We must tell you
that we have often planned to join our savings to those of Peggy
Walker, when she returns to Melbourne, as she will probably do ere
long. Plans, of course, may not be carried out, but if ours are, we may
leave you when you depend most on us. I am quite satisfied with my
position in your family, but----"

"But neither you nor I are quite satisfied with your sister's,"
interposed Mr. Phillips. "It was the best arrangement that at the time
coul