as not answered her letters, and has sent her no money. I am a little
surprised at that; but yet I believe that he must have had good reasons
for his conduct, for there never was any one more thoroughly
conscientious and liberal than the cousin I want to lose--the brother I
wish to gain. Would it not be a glorious revenge if this Mrs. Peck, in
her spite, were to give him all he wants--the only thing missing in his
cup of happiness?"

"Perhaps, then, it is a pity I interrupted you so soon," said Brandon,
admiring the generous enthusiasm of the girl; "but you were too dear to
me, too precious, to be left in such suspicious company a moment longer
than I could help. I came to Melbourne with one purpose--and that was,
to entreat you to reconsider the answer you gave to me in the railway
carriage."

"I did not know you so well then," said Elsie. "I thought you only
pitied me; and now I fear I have given you cause to despise me."

"Nothing of the kind," said Brandon; "nothing of the kind. I love you
far more now than I did then; and though I was so stupid and idiotic as
to fancy that Miss Phillips would suit me as well, whenever I saw you
together her faults came out, and your virtues. I do not wish to take
you at a disadvantage. Do not think it ungenerous in me to ask so much
just when you are in trouble and perplexity, and need advice and
assistance."

"And just when I have appeared in such an unfavourable light," said
Elsie, in her low, sweet voice, a little tremulous with the excitement
of the scene.

"But I will give you the best help I can, and the best advice my poor
head can supply, whether you return my love or not. Do not let that
weigh with you for a moment. Nothing I can do can make me deserve you.
If I am not bodily on my knees before you--for in a public place like
this it would be absurd, and you would not like it--I am mentally on my
knees, willing to accept whatever you may choose to give me--love, if
possible; but if your heart is otherwise engaged, or if you cannot love
such a commonplace fellow as myself, then I will TRY to be contented
with friendship. Which shall it be, my dearest Alice?"

"Will you have any objection to accepting of both?" said Alice, in the
same tremulous tone.

"None," said Brandon, delighted, "none whatever; indeed, one implies
the other, though the other does not imply the one. I cannot express
myself distinctly, you see, but you know what I mean. I am not at all a
genius,