gathered under a
dingy black cap, with bright, though soiled yellow flowers stuck in it;
her eyes, which had still some brightness, had a fierce, hungry
expression; and the very hands, thin and long, and with overgrown
nails, had less the appearance of honest work than of dishonest
rapacity. The man was a rougher-looking person, more blackguardly,
perhaps, in appearance, but not so dangerous. He had been at the
nearest post-office, and brought a letter addressed to Mrs. Peck, which
the woman tore open and read with impatient eagerness.

"This is from Mr. Talbot at last," said the man. "Long looked for--come
at last. I hopes as how it is worth waiting for."

"Worth waiting for!" said she, stamping on the letter with her foot,
and standing up, with such a look of frenzy that her companion moved a
little out of the way. "Hang him, and his clients too!"

"Won't this man come down with the ready, Liz? Does he send to make
inquiries? A cool hand--cooler than the old man. Won't out with the
blunt till he knows what he's paying for."

"It's not about him at all," said Mrs. Peck. "Not a word has he ever
said, good or bad--taken no notice of my letters, no more nor if I had
not been such a mother to him. I should have had an answer to my second
letter by this time, and I know it was directed all right; he must have
got them both. I'll have it out of him, though. I'll have my revenge,
as sure as I am a living woman."

"Don't go into such a scot, woman. Then, if it is not from young Cross
Hall, what has that lawyer said to put you into such a tantrum?"

"Oh! just a request to keep on this side of the border, or he'll not
warrant my getting a farthing out of Phillips. He offers three pound a
quarter more if I don't show my face in Melbourne! Such a beggarly sum
it is after all! To think that I should only have two children, and
them turning out such ungrateful cubs to me!"

"Two children, Liz?" said the man with a sneer. "Well, if I was
Phillips I'd like to keep you at a civil distance just at present, for
you look as like to brain him as not."

"There's the both of them rolling in wealth. Frank got all Cross Hall's
property, and all through me; and Betsy, with her London establishment
and her carriage, no doubt, and her children dressed like duchesses,
and herself, too--and look at me!"

"Well, just look at you, Liz. I fancy that the sight of you would do
them no credit. You're well enough off with Phillips. I think this