sorry to hear that news. Poor,
dear lady; but in the midst of life we are in death," said Mrs. Peck.

"No doubt we are," said Mr. Dempster. "No one knows that better than I
do, for I am always living amongst the dead, and they occasionally help
me to judge of people. I get a good deal of insight into character
through their means; and my impression is, that there is not a word of
truth in all you have just been telling me. You want to go to
Melbourne, no doubt, but it is not to see a dying daughter. You have
other plans in view which cannot be carried out here."

Mrs. Peck was somewhat taken aback by this blunt expression of opinion
coming from a man apparently so suave and gentle.

"Indeed, sir," said she, "I never heard nobody doubt my word afore; but
this comes of leaving the place where you are known. It is to see my
daughter that I am most wishful to go to Melbourne. No doubt I might
have other reasons, for I don't like Adelaide; but it's this letter and
this bad news that has made me so set on going. But I was asking no
favour of you. If I did want a loan of a trifle, I'd have paid back
every farthing of it with good interest. But I think I had better draw
on a friend of mine in Melbourne. I suppose that if I did that, I could
get the draft cashed at any of the banks?"

"You could get it cashed anywhere, provided you showed your authority
to draw, and convinced the person to whom you applied that your friend
was good for the money. Under these conditions I should not mind
advancing it for you myself."

"But you'd be rather hard to convince, I fancy," said Mrs. Peck. "After
the unhandsome way you have doubted my true story, I would not like to
apply to you. But any advance that any one would make to me would be as
safe as the bank. I have an annuity, and have had it for many years."

"No," said Mr. Dempster, "you have no annuity; you got a sum of money
instead."

Mrs. Peck started at this confident assertion, and coloured
indignantly. "How can you speak so positive about things you can know
nothing about? I have an annuity from another quarter."

"For valuable services, I suppose," said Mr. Dempster. "Well, if you
can prove that you are still in receipt of an annuity, and if you can
lodge an order to forestall it, I dare say you can get an advance from
any Adelaide bill discounter; but I myself would rather not do business
with a person who I feel is not to be relied on."

To put an end to the revelations