who wondered
what revelation was about to be made. Surely no love affair with some
one else!

"I believe this woman is the person who calls herself my cousin
Francis's mother," said Elsie. "I think she came to Mrs. Phillips's for
the express purpose of ingratiating herself with me, in hopes of
selling me a secret which she knows, and which she declares will give
to Jane and myself the possession of Cross Hall."

"Ah!" said Brandon, slowly; "and is this her little game at present?"

"Now, I have often thought that Francis was not my uncle's son--there
is not the slightest family likeness; and she is capable of any fraud
or deception. I really knew she was not good when I went out with her,
but we had no chance to speak without interruption in the house, and I
did not think she was so well known in Melbourne as she appears to be.
I know I have done very wrong, but I really had some excuse. If she can
prove this----" and Elsie paused, in hopes that Brandon would say
something to show that he felt for the greatness of her temptation.

"But, my dear Miss Alice," said Brandon, "she cannot take the property
from your cousin. Was it not left to him by will, and left to him
because he had proved himself worthy of it?--at least, I believe that
is what your sister and Peggy have told me. She tries this game of hers
with a girl who knows nothing about business. It is of no use whatever."

"She has no idea about the will, and thinks that Francis got the estate
as heir-at-law. But my view of the matter is this, that if Francis is
proved not to be our cousin, he might marry Jane, and not lose the
property. That is what I aim at, for they love each other, I am quite
sure."

"If they do, I wonder he did not throw up the fortune, and set about
earning one for himself. It was a good deal to give up, too--a seat in
parliament, and such a career as appears before him. But what are
wealth and fame compared to love?" said Brandon, who had got rather
into heroics.

"I do not like to say much to Jane about it, for it only distresses
her; but I think--I am almost sure--that he offered to make the
sacrifice, but that Jane would not accept of it. She rejoiced in his
useful and honourable life. She would not consent to be his drag and
stumbling-block. She must have felt it very hard, too; for I feel she
loves him dearly. It was for their sakes that I was so anxious to
discover this woman's secret. She wants to be revenged on Francis, who
h