mstances
in which Mrs. Peck placed you, though I did feel very indignant at your
allowing the girl whom I love, and whom I mean to marry, to go to
Melbourne with such a person," said Brandon.

"You mean to marry Alice?" said Mrs. Phillips.

"Yes, and she has consented to have me."

"Well, she is a good girl," said Mrs. Phillips, "and I am sure I wish
you happy with her. I know you will get on better with her than with
Harriett, for she is always so much taken up with herself, and never
thinks about other people. The way she treated me when I was left here
with her was shameful; but I'll not tell Stanley about it if I can help
it, for I have got enough to vex him about without grumbling at his
sister that he thinks so much of. But I like both of the Melvilles, and
they were both very good to my poor little baby as died in scarlet
fever, you know. We'll never get a husband for Miss Melville, for the
gentlemen are all frightened of her; but it is just as well, for she is
a capital governess, Stanley says, and the children like her--but they
like Alice best."

"And Miss Phillips and Dr. Grant appear to be making it up as fast as
possible," said Brandon, "if I may judge from what I saw and heard at
Wiriwilta."

"I am sure, Mr. Brandon, you never saw such goings on all the time he
was in town. They were together continually, and when he left
Melbourne, she said she would like to go up the country too. I really
don't think Stanley would have liked it."

"Perhaps they are engaged," suggested Brandon.

"Perhaps they were; but I think Harriett would have told me that, for
she'd have been so proud of it, and I really think it was my dues to
hear the first thing besides."

"I have told you the first thing," said Brandon. "I have not been more
than half an hour accepted."

"Well, I am glad you have told me. I will miss Alice dreadfully,
though. I suppose it will be soon?" said Mrs. Phillips.

"As soon as I can persuade her to take me for better for worse," said
Brandon.

"Oh, she won't need much persuading, such a good marriage for her as it
is," said Mrs. Phillips, who fancied she knew something of human
nature. "Emily will want to be bridesmaid, she is so fond of both Alice
and you."

"Of course she will wish it, and of course she will have her own way,
as usual; but with regard to Mrs. Peck, will you or shall I tell Alice
the relation between you and her? I should like you to be justified to
her."

"Oh, I'll te