ips complain of the
great freedom and the want of politeness of Melbourne tradespeople and
the inhabitants generally; but this was her first personal experience
of anything of the kind, and she rightly attributed it to the company
she was in. She felt, now, that she had made a great mistake in going
out with this Mrs. Mahoney, whose rather loud remarks and vulgar
appearance seemed to attract general attention, and she could only wish
fervently that, with or without her secret, she could get back safely
to East Melbourne. As they returned, Mrs. Peck proposed a detour by the
Botanic Gardens, which Elsie had never seen. Mrs. Phillips would not
expect them home soon, for she had proposed to show Miss Melville all
about Melbourne; and the gardens were well worth seeing. On a week day
they were quiet, and one could get a seat to have a little comfortable
talk. Much as Elsie wished for the talk, she would not on any account
lengthen her walk for it, so she declined the proposal.

"Then," said Mrs. Peck, "let us go out of the regular road we came by,
and go round Fitzroy Square, and have a look round at all the churches
and chapels that are built on the Eastern Hill."

Fitzroy Square was not at that time enclosed or planted. It was merely
a vacant space, intersected by numerous footpaths in various
directions, and covered where there was no beaten path with very dusty
withered-looking grass. Elsie had no objection to go out of the
thoroughfare; but, instead of pointing out the churches or anything
else, as soon as Mrs. Peck had got safe out of any third party's
hearing, she slackened her pace, and eagerly opened the subject which
was nearest to her heart.

"I said, Miss Melville, that I could make your fortune if you'd only
give me a handsome commission. Are you willing to drive a bargain?"
said Mrs. Peck.

"If I can see my way clear to the fortune, I should, of course, be glad
to pay you for the information; but I must know what you have got to
say before I can guess what it is worth," said Elsie.

"And I must know what you are willing to give, before I can tell what I
know," said Mrs. Peck.

"But I have really got nothing to offer," said Elsie; "you know how
poor I am."

"But suppose you and your sister was to get Cross Hall through means of
me, what would you give me for that?" asked Mrs. Peck.

Elsie felt sure that this woman could not give the property to Jane and
herself, for it had been left to Francis distinct