Volume 2, Chapter 2 of Mr. Hogarth's Will. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Red Abras. Mr. Hogarth's Will. By Catherine Helen Spence. Volume 2, Chapter 2. Jane's Situation. Almost incredibly short time, Mr. Brandon called at Peggy Walker's to say that he had had a letter from Mr. Phillips who thought very favorably of Miss Melville from his description but who would come to Edinburgh himself in a day or two and see the young lady so as to judge for himself. He came accordingly but to Peggy's great disappointment without Emily or Harriet. They had both bad coals and he could not make them travel in the depth of winter even to see Peggy. Jane and Elsie could not but admire the kindly greeting to give to his old and faithful servant and the interest he took in her affairs and her children which was even more strongly expressed than Mr. Brandon's. And as for grandfather he could not tell which of the two Australian gentlemen was the most polite. The manners of the younger sister took Mr. Phillips fancy more than those of the elder but he saw that Jane would suit him best. So in a much shorter time than she could have conceived possible she found herself engaged to accompany him on his return to London as housekeeper and governess at a salary of 70 pounds a year. We mean to come to Edinburgh next summer when we will probably take a tour in the Highlands and have a prospect of seeing your sister then, said Mr. Phillips. But I must have you with us as soon as possible so I hope you will be ready the day after tomorrow. Yes, I will be quite ready then, said Jane. I have not much to do except to part from Elsie and that will be hard to do at last as at first. While Mr. Phillips talked to Peggy about his children and especially of Emily the girls both examined his countenance and drew their conclusions as to his character. He was not so handsome as Mr. Brandon being smaller and more insignificant looking and his fair complexion had not stood so well the constant exposure to the weather under an Australian sun as Mr. Brandon's dark one but his smile was remarkably bright and though his manner was very gentle and pleasing he did not seem to want for decision of character. I doubt Emily's changed out of my knowledge I have not seen her since she was four years and a half old when you brought her to Melbourne for me to see and when she coaxed me out of far more lollies than were good for her. I will bring her up in summer and you will acknowledge that you would know her anywhere as for you she will know you quite well what did not we get your likeness taken at the time and she shows it to everyone as that of her dear old nurse I hope you are not smiling the burn Oh no, not much. At least if we are we will get Ms. Melville to counteract our bad treatment You are not to make Ms. Melville a terror that's no fair but the wee things after Harriet how do you call them Constance, Herbert and Eva well they should save the eldest from being destroyed by foolish indulgence for Emily and Harriet should be learnt to give weight to them Everybody gives weight to all of the five but you must not say they are spoiled either Harriet and Emily too learnt a lot of monkey tricks on board ship the gentleman took so much notice of them and encouraged a good deal of impertinence in the children A ship is a bad school for birds said Peggy Mine will become some length before we go on board and are not like to be so much taken notice of Does Mrs. Phillips like England? Very much indeed, she will not go back with her own goodwill and I hope not to need to return All your friends are in this country said Peggy and Mrs. Phillips will have so much new to see here that she will not regret the station and how's Mrs. Bennet, is she still with you and Martha, Mrs. Duck, they call her now? They are both on the station yet Peggy Mrs. Bennet, the same admirable woman she used to be but one cannot advance her anyway with such a poor creature of a husband there is no rise in him he is a shepherd and a shepherd he will remain to the end of his days spending his wages in an occasional spree and then coming back to us to work for more while that poor silly Martha happened on one of the best men about the place and I have left him an under overseer if the two men could only have exchanged wives things would appear more equitably arranged well said Peggy when Mr. Phillips had gone people can see other folks blunders but the man that I thought worst mated on the station was the master himself you will have to take high ground with Mrs. Phillips, Mrs. Melville for if you give her an inch she will take an L as for him he is everything that is reasonable and the bairns you must just make them mind you but she is the one that will give you the most trouble when this engagement was entered into Jane accompanied Elsie to Mrs. Dunn's who readily took her into her work room and was very much pleased to hear that Mrs. Melville had got such a desirable situation the Rennies were also full of congratulations and felt that their invitations and their getting the sisters an introduction to Mr. Brandon had secured such a magnificent salary from another Australian millionaire Ms. Rennie was particularly pleased that she had dwelt so much on the misfortunes and talents of the sisters the last evening Jane spent in Edinburgh was passed at the Rennies Mr. Brandon was asked to meet the girls he had been of such service to and though Mr. Hogart was rather dull and Laura Wilson in a particularly unamiable mood the liveliness of the Australian settler made it pass off very pleasantly Jane had not only Mr. Phillips but Mr. Brandon also as travelling companion Australians in England have a great tendency to fraternise even though they were not much acquainted in the colony and when his old neighbour returned to London Brandon thought he could not do better than go with him and go back to the north when it was not quite so cold the gentlemen had a great deal to say to each other on matters both colonial and English in English politics they took quite as great an interest as if they had never been out of Britain and in continental politics they took a greater interest than is usual with English people Jane was occupied with her own thoughts the parting from Elsie had been a sad one so had the goodbye to Francis who had said so much about her writing if she was unhappy or if she did not think she could keep her situation with a lady of such a peculiar temper as Mrs. Phillips that she could not help fearing herself for the permanency of the situation nothing that had fallen from Peggy or from Mr. Brandon either had prepared Jane for the exceeding beauty of Mrs. Phillips Jane never had seen a woman so strikingly handsome before when she spoke the charm was somewhat broken for her ideas were not brilliant and she expressed herself in indifferent English but in repose she was like queen of romance tall and large but exquisitely formed with a soft creamy complexion with a slight faint rose colour on the cheeks and a more vivid red on the pouting lips finely shaped brown eyes and a profusion of rippling dark brown hair she suddenly offered the fairest possible excuse for her husband's marrying beneath his rank both social and intellectual such beauty as Mrs. Phillips is a power and Jane felt how difficult it would be to take high ground with so explicit a creature as Mr. Brandon said she was handsomer than ever the girlish beauty of 16 which she possessed when she captivated Mr. Phillips had matured into the perfect beauty of womanhood though the mother of five children she was not and certainly did not look 27 Emily was not so regularly handsome as her mother but had more animation and more play of feature Harriet would have been considered a pretty child in any other family but she was quite a plain one in this no sooner had Mr. Phillips entered his house than Emily clung around his neck Harriet mounted on one knee and played with his hair Constance got on the other to have a little similar amusement with his beard and whiskers Herbert clamoured for a ride on papa's foot and little Eva cried to leave her nurse's arms to be taken up by him too I was very glad to hear from Mr. Phillips that you was coming Mrs. Melville the trouble of the house and the row children make it far too much for me and when one comes home to England for a holiday they want to have some peace said Mrs. Phillips now Ms. Emily you must be on your good behaviour now Ms. Melville's come to be your governess I'm sure I shan't behave any better to her than to my own dear papa said Emily with a storm of kisses you are getting up to be a great girl I'm sure Ms. Melville will be quite shocked at your backwardness this child said Mr. Brandon and has been running wild all her life you must excuse her for the present but we hope to see great improvement I'm much afraid you'll be disappointed you dear old boy said Emily who had left her father and come up to Mr. Brandon who was her particular favourite keep your spirits up as well as you can I'm not going to be like your wonderful nephews and nieces at Ashfield I never saw such ignorant children they did not know how to make dirt pies nor could they jump across the ditch or get up by the trees to the top of the garden wall Harriet and I had such a beautiful race round that garden and they looked on so terrified they could take the shine out of you at lessons however said Mr. Brandon and I won't take you there again to have another such spirited race till I hear satisfactory accounts of you from Ms. Melville the race was well enough but the visit was very slow upon the whole so I don't think I will break my heart if I never see the place again Harriet may try to deserve it but I will not take the trouble I hate books said Ms. Harriet except picture books and the fairy tales Papa reads to us you must not mind what they say Ms. Melville said Mr. Phillips I do not intend to do so I hope to make them like their lessons by and by and in the meantime they must learn them whether they like them or not you would be asianist Lily said Mr. Phillips addressing his wife to see what a clever intelligent family of nephews and nieces Peggy has got Ms. Melville has been good enough to give them some extra instruction and they certainly have profited by it but even without that Peggy has given them every advantage that she possibly could oh Peggy had always very upish notions said Mrs. Phillips it will be a pity if she educates these children above their position no one knows what position they may not take with such abilities and education in such a colony as Victoria I may have to stand cap in hand to Tom Lowry yet said Mr. Phillips you Stanley said his wife you are so fond of saying absurd things don't you know the insecurity of runs and who knows but Tom may be prime minister or commissioner of public lands or public works or the chief engineer on a new railway that may go right through my squatting rights my dear Lily I have a respect for incipient greatness and when I stood among these young people I felt they would be rising when I was perhaps falling where these young motives said Mr. Brandon laughing I admired the young Lowrys what they were in themselves and did not go so far into the future as you I hope Emily that in time Miss Melville will make you what Peggy calls skin of your learning as well as her brains did you like learning when you were a little girl asked Emily of Miss Melville very much indeed so mama says but then she did not have to learn very much if I had not such a horrid lot of tasks perhaps I might like some of them but my dear you are so very ignorant you have everything to learn now that you have come to England said her mama but I hope not everything at once said Jane not quite said Mr. Phillips but perhaps too much so you will see the list of the girls studies tomorrow and judge for yourself Mrs. Phillips was favorably impressed with Jane she was well born and well educated but she was plain looking she had heard of her sudden and sad reverse of fortune and felt disposed to take her up and patronize her she had suffered from the want of a domestic manager and house counselor even the very good temper and great forbearance of her husband had given way at the small amount of comfort that could be obtained with such a lavish expenditure of money as his had been since they came to London and he had spoken more sharply to her about her mismanagement than about anything else so she felt that now he had a housekeeper of his own choosing she could escape from all responsibility her manner to Jane was exceedingly kind and Jane's hopes rose at her reception Mrs. Phillips always went to bed early unless she was kept up by amusement and gaity her style of beauty was of the kind that suits best with plenty of sleep and few cares so at ten o'clock she said she could sit up no longer and left Mr. Phillips to explain all the duties expected of Miss Melville so that she did not be disturbed by any inquiries in the morning Mr. Phillips did so with a clearness and precision that showed he had been often obliged to see to the disbursement of the money as well as the earning of it he gave Jane the keys and the house books showed her what he thought was the sum he could spend on family expenses and hoped that she would make it suffice I wish you to be one of the family Miss Melville to visit and go to public places with Mrs. Phillips I think we may dispense with all the masters for my little girls except for music and I hope that you will succeed in making them like both you and their lessons I also hope in a short time to give you still more difficult and delicate work to do and if you can be successful there I will be most grateful to you Mrs. Phillips has had a very imperfect education she was born in the colonies and was married when a mere child and since her marriage she has had few opportunities of improving herself either by books or society I think she feels her deficiencies so if you could ingratiate yourself with her she appears to be most favourably disposed towards you at first sight and induce her to learn a little from you you would add very greatly to our happiness and comfort and I should be infinitely your debtor Mr. Phillips hesitated and coloured a little while he made this suggestion Jane said she would do what she could and would be most happy to further his views in this and in every other way she felt not a little fearful at the idea of having to ingratiate herself with the woman she had been exhorted to take high ground with and to teach probably in the most elementary branches the most lovely creature she had ever seen the mistress of the house and a person several years her senior still no difficulty, no honour she had wanted full employment and here she was likely to get it Jane did not think she had naturally any great turn for children but the little Philipses had been so accustomed to have people pet and yield to them that they actually seemed to enjoy the repose and happiness of obeying and obeying at once their calm grave governess who never asked them to do anything unreasonable but yet who always insisted on implicit acquiescence they were indebted to her for the shortening and simplifying of all their lessons in the first place and that called out a considerable amount of gratitude she had a clear way of explaining things to them and she had such a large information on all subjects that she filled out the dry skeletons of geography and history which children are condemned to learn and made them look living and real to them their father had taught the two elder girls to read and to read well and fluently but they had had no other lessons till they had come to London and found their hitherto unexercised memories quite overtaxed by masters who saw that the girls were quick, intelligent and observant with a great deal of practical knowledge quite unusual in England at their ears but absolutely devoid of all school acquirements they found their lessons much more interesting to learn and much better retained when learned under Miss Melville than under their masters and though they were not particularly fond of her they were very happy with her Mrs. Phillips' only objection to Miss Melville was her scotch accent but before six weeks had passed she had got over that and thought being in London had softened its town very considerably and she did not think the children were at all inclined to pick it up she began to wonder if the governess would not give her some help or some hints for she was going to visit her husband's relations in Derbyshire for a second time her first visit had not been very long and she hoped and wished that she might get on better than she had done before her husband had never found any fault with her in the bush of Australia but her blunders before his father, brother and sisters had distressed him so much that he had spoken to her many times rather sharply in private about them though she was a woman of a very indolent character now that Jane managed all her housekeeping and her servants wrote all her notes that however was a saving of time to her husband rather than to herself and relieved her a good deal from the body of the children she felt that she had some time on her hands in spite of her going out a good deal to see and to be seen she was no reader and had no taste for needlework but she had the gift of being able to sit in an easy chair thinking of nothing in particular and doing nothing at all but looking so beautiful that one might have fancied her thoughts to be one of the most elevated description one day while in this state of luxurious ease she asked Jane how long she had been at school and opened her eyes a hair breadth or two wider when she was told of the education so peculiar so protracted that Mr. Hogarth had given to his nieces and that even after she had left off regular study Jane had never ceased to be learning something even now she was keeping up partly for Tom Laury's sake and partly for her own gratification some of those branches of learning that were likely to be useful to him and corresponding with him every week on those subjects Mrs. Phillips sighed and said she had been married at sixteen and had been very little at school all her life she had always been moved from place to place when she was a girl and there were no schools in the colony that were fit to teach young ladies then even now it was the children's education that had been Mr. Phillips great inducement to come to England and she liked it very much herself there was so much to see in London but would Miss Melville think it very absurd if she were to propose to take lessons now? Jane said she would not think it at all absurd she was sure Mrs. Phillips would find it very pleasant but she was rather perplexed when the lady said that her chief ambition was to learn the piano fort and how to make walks flas she had no particular taste for music and no artistic taste at all but music and walks flowers were expensive fashionable and showy accomplishments and these Mrs. Phillips desired to acquire these are things unfortunately that I cannot give you any assistance with said Jane recovering her presence of mind and perhaps you would not like to have masters and mistresses coming in for yourself any of the branch of study we could go on with together and that would be pleasanter music demands so very much time if you wish to make rapid progress Emily only practices an hour and Harriet half an hour a day now and though their master wished them to practice twice as long they seem to get on much better since you said they should not be so long at the piano because it is practicing not amusing themselves or dawdling and because it is an hour and half an hour neither more nor less and not an uncertain time which is left to the performer's pleasure to make any progress with music after you are grown up you must give three or four hours a day to its acquirement and that you would find it difficult almost impossible to keep up but as I said before music is a thing I am so ignorant of that I can give you no assistance and no advice on the subject I would like your assistance said Mrs. Phillips for the children do get on with you and they say that you make their lessons an amusement should you not like to be with us while we are at study and see if you think you could derive any benefit from my method come into the school room tomorrow with us Mrs. Phillips agreed to this and thought the lessons were very pleasant sometimes Jane made the little girls repeat their lessons to their mama still exercising the supervision which made them feel they must be as careful as here to for the oral instruction which accompanied the lessons studied from the book seemed to Mrs. Phillips as well as to the children the most interesting part of it and as the language was simplified for the comprehension of the little pupils it was not at all too abstract for their mother she declared herself delighted with the morning at school and tried to persuade herself that she was only going there to see how her governess did her duty by her children in this way, by sitting 2 hours every 4 noon with Miss Melville she contrived to pick up something and though both her husband and Jane would have been glad if the studies had been prosecuted a little further they were very much pleased with so much improvement the idea of learning music still haunted Mrs. Phillips and she obtained her husband's consent to her having lessons from Emily's master but her progress was so slow that she tired of it in a month and blamed her teacher for his stupid dry way of setting her to work if Miss Melville had only understood music she knew she would have got on ever so much better for she had such a knack of teaching people on the whole Jane was satisfied with her situation and with the manner in which she filled it and when Mr. Phillips paid her her first quarter's salary he expressed himself in the highest degree satisfied with everything she had done if she could only have felt that Elsie was well and happy she would have been perfectly happy herself but the letters from Edinburgh were not at all cheerful Elsie's account of herself and Francis' account of her were unsatisfactory and even Peggy had written a few lines recently to say that she was uneasy about her and did not think the situation at Mrs. Dunn's agreed with Miss Elsie at all it was still months before she could hope to go to Edinburgh to see her sister but she wrote urging her to give up her employment and to take as much open-air exercise as possible and also to take medical advice on the subject but Elsie did not agree to this the family plans were all laid for a visit to Derbyshire and Mr. Brandon who seemed always to be on the move when his old neighbours were leaving London seeing Jane's distress about her sister ventured on a good-natured suggestion in her behalf I think you might go up now and see Peggy before you go to Derbyshire you know she is anxious to see Emily and the other children I could go with you I wish so much to see the meeting between them we cannot go to Scotland so early in the season autumn is the time when it is pleasant to travel in the north but then I cannot be a witness to Peggy's delight for if you delay so long I'll have to be off to Melbourne before that time I thought if you went now you might leave Miss Melville with her sister while you pay your visit you do not mean to take her there and the servants here will I suppose to be put on board wages during your absence so that she need not remain in London we hope and expect that Miss Melville will accompany us to Derbyshire that the children may go on with their lessons and not get into as much mischief as they did on their last visit said Mr. Phillips I'm sure their aunts made great complaints of them said Mrs. Phillips and I do not wish to give room for so much complaint again I hope Miss Melville will come with us I would have escorted Miss Melville to Edinburgh before I went to Ashefield for I must see that worthy Peggy again before I leave England and visit my Edinburgh relatives again too and my time is getting short said Mr. Brandon but if you cannot spare her I cannot do anything but to go to see her sister and report myself on her appearance perhaps your letters are duller than the reality did you not tell me your sister was a millner Miss Melville? what a sad thing I'm sure you are such a treasure to us that I wish some other family would take your sister said Mrs. Phillips she thinks millery preferable to idleness but the long hours and the cold rooms and the solitary life are too hard upon her it must be dull for her to have no other society but that of our good Peggy and her brands after a long day's work don't you think clearly that it would be a pleasant change for her to come and spend a few weeks with us after we return to London as her sister cannot yet go to her? said Mr. Phillips the idea of befriending Jane's sister in this way was not disagreeable to Mrs. Phillips the invitation was given and joyfully accepted Mr. Brandon would delay his visit to the north till it was about the time for Elsie to come down and would take care of her on the way Jane felt happy in this new proof of the kind of feeling of the family towards her and accompanied them to Derbyshire with a lighter heart Mr. Phillips father was a medical man with an excellent country practice, intelligent, chatty and hospitable he had married a Miss Stanley who was not only of very good birth but who had a considerable fortune which was settled on her children her eldest son's portion of it had been the nucleus of the handsome fortune he had realized in Victoria the old gentleman had been long of a door and his two unmarried daughters lived with him and kept his house while his younger son had been brought up to assist his father in his profession and eventually to succeed to the practice but he, seeing how well his brother Stanley had got on had a great hankering after an unlimited sheep run in Australia the Mrs. Phillips were not young but they were well-rested, well-mannered and good-looking there was a happy, prosperous, confident air about both of the sisters and especially about the younger of the two they were the darlings of their father the first in their own set of acquaintances a great deal taken notice of on account both of their mother's social position and their father's professional talent by county families, successful in domestic management successful in society of good understanding and well-educated the Mrs. Phillips were looked up to very much and felt that they deserved to be so they were much disappointed in their brother's wife from his letters and the likenesses he had sent home they were prepared for a romantic and interesting as well as beautiful woman but her want of education and of understanding which they soon discovered on personal acquaintance was most modifying to ladies who thought they possessed both in a high degree and they were quite distressed at having to introduce her into society the husband saw and felt their coldness towards his wife while Mrs. Phillips filled his ears with complaints of their upishness and their disagreeable ways Mr. Phillips had been so proud and so fond of his sisters and had talked so much to her about their beauty, their cleverness and their goodness that she thought she too had a right to be disappointed their beauty had diminished during his 14 years absence in Australia their cleverness only made her uncomfortable and their goodness did not seem to extend to her what right had a couple of ordinary-looking old mates to look down on her a married woman of so many years standing so much younger and handsomer she liked Jane Melville far better than either of her sisters-in-law for with more real mental superiority there was an inferiority in position that set her at her ease Mr. Phillips was a little disappointed with his sisters but he would scarcely own it to himself the blooming girls of 21 and 17 whom he had left were somewhat faded in the course of the many years absence and the very different lives that they had led made them take different views of most subjects their opinions had hardened separately and when they met again they did not harmonize as they had done his sisters were more aristocratic in all their tastes and feelings than the Australian's quarter they had scarcely mixed at all with children and had no patience with his wild-bush children whose frankness and audacity were so terribly embarrassing and they had shown their disappointment at his Miss Alliance very decidedly but on this occasion things went on much better both Mrs. Phillips and the children were decidedly improved and the sisters-in-law gave Miss Melville the credit of it and liked her accordingly Miss Melville was presentable anywhere though she was only a governess the tale which Mr. Phillips told of a reverse of fortune interested them all particularly the old gentleman he had met with Jane's uncle when he had been studying in Paris who was then only a younger son and had been just released from the strict discipline of a scotch puritanical home and not being ambitious of filling the subordinate office of Jacque the Laird's brother wished to learn a profession and thought he might try medicine as well as anything else he was then clever, idle and extravagant but a great favourite with everybody Jane questioned Dr. Phillips about the date of this acquaintance but it had occurred before the supposed time of Francis' birth so that he could throw no light on that question still she wrote to Francis on the subject though she had thought his letters lately had been colder than before and feared that his friendship for her was not so deeply seated as hers for him willing to show that her feelings towards him were unchanged she entered into the same minute description of the family she was at present living with as she had done of the pupils and the employers and the visitors in London she was at this time more interested in Dr. Phillips and his younger son Vivian than in any of the ladies of the family and felt particularly puzzled to explain the desire of the latter to leave the country and his profession when he had talents quite sufficient to make a good figure for such a life as Mr. Brandon's had been in the Australian Bush he was the most scientific man whom Jane had met with in society and as he met with very little sympathy from either of his sisters in his chemical experiments or his geological researches he appreciated her intelligent and inquiring turn of mind there were many things he could throw light on which would be of service to Tom Lowry and were mentioned in her letters to him young Dr. Vivian Phillips had submitted to a great deal of the inevitable spoiling which an only brother at home receives Georgiana was very strongly attached to him and though Harriet had always said that she preferred Stanley yet when he came back with his uncongenial wife and large family of young children to engross nine-tenths of his heart her partiality for him seemed to fade away and she felt that Vivian was far better than the other at least more clever and more English in his ideas but Stanley was more liberal and had a better temper Vivian had fits of bad temper which no one could conquer and his sisters found it was the only plan to let him alone Vivian would never think of falling in love with his brother's governess he knew his own position too well for that so that his sisters had no fear of his being in any danger when Jane joined him in his experiments in the laboratory or went out with him and the children geologizing and they were perfectly right in that surmise he liked Jane because he felt her to be a perfectly safe person just a little more interesting than a companion of his own sex and one to place rather more confidence in for she had more sympathy and more enthusiasm but she had excellent sense and did not appear to be at all impressible Jane described the beautiful country walks she took which she was sure Francis or Elsie would appreciate far better than she could do she contrasted the activity and full life of the gentlemen of the house with the languid idleness of Mrs. Phillips and the busy idleness of her sisters in law and thought it very unjust that all the work of the world should be done by the one sex and so little left for the other she had thought the Mrs. Phillips superior to the Swinton young ladies at first but on closer acquaintance she found it quite as difficult to grow intimate with them she thought she would prefer the high church and almost pusy id tendencies of the English women to the narrow and gloomy views of her scotch neighbors but her first independent turn of mind her eager love of inquiry and her thirst for truth were as much cramped by the one as the other an enormous part of Mrs. Phillips lives was occupied in visiting and receiving visitors their superintendence of their father's household was very different from what had been expected from Jane and Elsie at Cross Hall they had old and faithful servants who knew their work and did it and rarely troubled their mistresses for orders they did not take the same interest or trouble about the poor which the Mrs. Melville had done if Dr. Phillips mentioned any case of distress the cook was directed to send broth or wine or they might even give a little money but there was no personal inconvenience suffered or sacrifice made for the relief of want or the comforting of sorrow the charity was given with the smallest amount of sympathy and accepted with the smallest amount of gratitude in public matters, in social progress, in sanitary reforms all the gentlemen took a lively interest but the ladies considered these things quite out of their own line there was this difference however between the sisters that Georgiana the eldest could make any sacrifice cheerfully for any member of her own family but Harriet was disinclined to make any even for them it is not to be supposed that the world in general saw all these traits as Jane in her peculiar circumstances and with her observant powers had so much opportunity of doing they were considered to be very superior and very amiable young ladies and Mr. Brandon had been rather surprised himself for not fixing his affections on Harriet who as the favourite sister of his dearest friend would be suitable in every respect and who appeared to have all the qualifications to make a good wife End of Volume 2, Chapter 2 Recording by Red Abrace October 2008 Chapter 3 Of Mr. Hogarth's Will This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Rachelle Mr. Hogarth's Will by Catherine Helen Spence Chapter 3 Elsie's Situation It was not mere fancy on Jane's part that Elsie was ill and unhappy She had magnanimously made up her mind to go to work with industry and spirit and Mrs. Dunn was perfectly satisfied with her But she missed Jane's society far more than her sister could miss hers Jane was constantly employed in occupations that demanded intelligence and thought She had access to books She went to theatres and places of public amusement even more than she cared for She had the society of Mr. Phillips constantly and that of Mr. Brandon and several other Australians who were either retired on a competency or home on a visit very frequently and she certainly thought them generally pleasant and intelligent and more agreeable company than the provincial people in and about Swinton Their frank acknowledgement of the early struggles which they had had with fortune the hardy manner in which they enjoyed the prosperity they had earned and their kindly feelings toward each other made Jane have a favourable impression of the colonial people Mr. Phillips had become acquainted with several people from other colonies than Victoria partly on board CHIP and partly from other introductions A curious and ignorant suspicion that somehow all Australians have a sort of convict origin made it more difficult at that time for them then for retired Indians to get into general society There was no nice distinction drawn between the different colonies between New South Wales and Victoria or South Australia and Tasmania in those days a slight savor of Botany Bay was supposed to hang about them all but they formed a pleasant little clique of their own less exclusive than most cliques and generally disposed to hold up each one his own particular colony as preferable to the others They might contrast it unfavorably with Britain but as compared with the other colonies it ought to bear the palm Elsie felt the want of this intelligence and this variety of character that Jane described to her so minutely in her frequent letters and regretted that she could write nothing interesting in return When she came home after a long day's work she thought she ought to try to keep up a little of her sister's discipline with the louries and went over their lessons with them Tom used to bring to her the most puzzling questions which she thought she ought to be able to answer and made great efforts to do so but instead of the intellectual work refreshing her after the sedentary needlework she felt all the more exhausted by it As for her poetry she appeared to be unable to write a line and though she sometimes could read an old book she seemed quite unfit to pay attention to anything new She missed the long walks she had daily taken in Jane's pleasant company not far from Peggy's house to Mrs. Dunn's place of business and it was a very monotonous walk The white regular houses all of one size and height with their thousands of windows exactly on the same model seemed always staring her out of countenance and made her feel depressed even in the early morning She felt the keen piercing east winds of an Edinburgh spring as she had never done at Cross Hall where they were sheltered from them by a beautiful plantation of trees and the continued poor living and the hurried meals began to tell upon a constitution naturally must less robust than Jane's so that she began to look pale and thin and coughed a good deal and lost her appetite With all these drawbacks she improved so much in taste and skill that Mrs. Dunn raised her wages or salary as she gentilily called it and put her at the head of the department in which she so much excelled so that she could not bear to give up her contribution to the little fun that Jane was putting into the savings bank Miss Rennie had persuaded her momma to try Mrs. Dunn's establishment and had told that lady that it was all on Miss Elsie Melville's account So she often saw her and Laura Wilson there and made bonnets for both of them with her own hands and the Chalmers' and the Jardines had also come to see how Elsie got on and other people from the neighborhood of Swinton Elsie would rather not have had dealings with so many old acquaintances but Mrs. Dunn thought it was a just reward for her kindness that she had this increase of custom One day, about four months after she had been engaged in this business, Miss Rennie and Miss Wilson came in with most important-looking faces While Miss Wilson was busyed turning over the fashion books, her friend whispered to Elsie It is really a case Laura is engaged to Mr. Dawsel, your old friend and neighbor, and she is going to give one of her wedding orders here Mrs. Dunn should be greatly obliged to you for we never would have come to the house but for you but this marriage amuses me a good deal I am sure your sister was fifty times too good for him and Laura and he will just suit each other He is very much attached to her fortune and she will have it settled upon herself at least Papa will see that is done as tightly as she could wish and Laura has a sharp eye to number one, I can assure you She is quite delighted at the idea of being married at a teen to such a handsome man of such good family Mrs. Dawsel has been to see us and been so gracious After all, what better luck could she look for than to be married for her money With such a temper as she has too He certainly is handsome, but for my part I would rather have a man who is downright ugly than one who grins and bowels like William Dawsel I will be quite glad when this affair is over Lovers are very tiresome when one does not quite believe in the love Well, Laura dear, have you made up your mind about the dresses, continued Miss Rennie, in a louder voice? You had better go to Madame Ousel de Four about the dresses, said Elsie I must keep to my own department Oh, Laura wants your taste to help us to decide You know better what suits the Madame Ousel, said Miss Rennie But I am going to be busy here, said Elsie, who never felt much disposed to wait on Miss Wilson And at this time, less than ever And she turned to an elderly lady of a very pleasing countenance Who, with a pretty girl of thirteen, entered the showroom at that moment Oh, Miss Thompson, said Miss Rennie, shaking hands with the newcomer How do you do? Are you in Edinburgh just now?  He preaches for the last time in Edinburgh on Sunday I am in town in Edinburgh for a few days, said Miss Thompson And will certainly call on your mother This is one of your nieces, I suppose, said Miss Rennie Yes, this is Grace Forrester, my youngest niece Who has been doing so well at school And been such a good girl altogether That I must need to give her a new frock for a party she is invited to next week And get it fashionably made, too, no doubt This is not the dressmaking room Miss Melville is the milliner We must go to the next room for Grace's frock, said Miss Rennie But I am in want of a new cap and bonnet for myself And I must teach Grace that old people must be served first And that young folks must wait with patience, said Miss Thompson Looking very kindly on the girl Miss Melville can take my order, I suppose You are the sister of the young lady who called on me some time ago Yes, ma'am, said Elsie I can see a very slight likeness I was very glad to hear such good accounts of your sister Getting a situation with some rich colonial people in London And I hear, too, that you are a remarkably good hand in your own line So I have come to ask you to make me a cap and a bonnet That will keep on my head And that is what I cannot get the fashionable milliner I have employed so long to make me this year back I can make to please Peggy Walker, said Elsie, smiling But you will wish for more style A compromise between fashion and comfort With a decided leaning towards comfort, said Miss Thompson Are you still living with Peggy Walker? An admirable woman she is And one who I have the greatest respect for But does she take good care of you? You look thin and ill I am not very well But Peggy is everything that is kind and careful I have missed my sister, sadly I hope, however, to see her soon For Mrs. Phillips has been so good as to ask me to spend a few weeks in London And Mrs. Dunn is going to spare me Well, I am glad to hear it, said Miss Thompson For it seems to me you want to change an arrest Your cousin is making great alterations at Cross Hall Alterations for the better, said Elsie He told us about them Well, I am not clear about the allotments But the cottages I do most highly approve of And I am coming upon my landlord to build me eight or nine after the same plan As near as may be The Allendale Cothouses are very old And I will never consent to have my work people as badly lodged as they have been If I asked for five hundred pounds to add to the farmhouse I would get it at once For I am a good tenant But my landlord demured at such an expenditure for Cothouses I think I will carry my point, however You know, said Miss Rennie to Miss Thompson of the new neighbor you are likely to get in Moss Tower Mama wants to have a talk with you about Laura's marriage, as you know the dozzles Yes, certainly. I'll call on your mother I don't forget any of my cousins, though they are a few times removed But dear me, Eliza, that poor girl Melville looks ill The braze she has had to climb has been o'ry stay for her I must look in on Peggy Walker and hear what she has to say about her, said Miss Thompson As they moved into Madame O'Zell's department and gave orders about Grace's frock While Miss Wilson looked over dresses made and unmade And received hints and suggestions from any quarter she could Elsie wished that she could be out of the establishment before Miss Wilson's wedding order came to it So she was very glad when after a longer day than usual In which she had exercised her utmost skill for Miss Thompson's behoof And certainly pleased herself with her work She returned home and found Mr. Rendon sitting talking in his usual cheerful way to Peggy and the old man Mr. Phillips had wished that Elsie should join her sister before she left Derbyshire And spend a week or so at his house For he had been so delighted with Jane that he had a desire to become acquainted with Elsie also So that Mr. Rendon had come sooner than he had intended And proposed an early departure Elsie looked so glad, so very glad to see him Expressed herself so grateful to him for all the trouble he was taking for her After asking for Jane and the Philipses began to inquire about his own relations and how he had enjoyed his visit to Ashfield With so much interest that Mr. Rendon thought her manner more pleasant than ever End of Chapter 3 Recording by Rachelle Book 2 Chapter 4 of Mr. Hogarth's Will This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Mr. Hogarth's Will by Catherine Helen Spence Book 2 Chapter 4 Elsie refuses an excellent offer Mr. Rendon had come home with the intention of marrying And had flirted a good deal during the six or eight months of his stay in England He had seen so many young ladies that one had driven another out of his head He thought he might have fallen in love with Miss Harriet Philips, who though not very young, would in all other respects be very suitable, and who he had no doubt would accept him, but still he could not manage to cultivate an attachment strong enough to warrant such a desperate step as a proposal Ever since he had seen Elsie Melville at Mrs. Rendy's party, her face and form, and her pleasant voice with its scotch accent, recurred more frequently in his thoughts than those of any woman he had seen Her elegance, her gentleness, her sprightliness had struck him at sight, and her forlorn condition was very interesting Her poetical talents, of which he had heard from Peggy, impressed him a good deal, and the manner in which she had taken so industriously to the only means of earning a livelihood open to her, though one which was so far beneath her had certainly called forth his respect The sight of Elsie again, though in a diminished beauty, revived all those sentiments of compassion and protection that he had felt for her from first hearing of her misfortunes Yes, he would marry her, and then she would grow rosy and happy, and he would get her poems published at his own expense, and have such a splendid copy for herself to lay on her drawing-room table, for she should have a drawing-room at Baragon, and every comfort, and even luxury, that Victoria in those days could afford He never would be ashamed to take Elsie to see any of his friends or relatives, for she was a gentlewoman born and bred. As for her being a milliner for the present, it was only so much the more to be proud of These thoughts lay in Brandon's mind and strengthened every day of his short stay in Edinburgh. His strong-minded cousins thought Walter Brandon more contemptible than ever, for he did not seem to have an idea in his head, whereas it was because he had one idea very strongly in his head and heart that he was so disinclined for argument or discussion Peggy, who perceived Brandon's evident admiration, again regretted her own burst of confidence in her autobiographical sketch, but thought that now Miss Elsie was so downcast and so miserable that she would never think of refusing so excellent an offer as her old master could make She began to praise Mr. Brandon, to whose character, however, she never did full justice, from not understanding many of its best points. She liked Mr. Phillips much better, who was graver Her scotch, phlegmatic temperament, could not appreciate the fine spirit and unvarying good humour of Brandon, and his random way of talking she thought flighty and frivolous. But yet she could and did praise him for his kindness of heart and his want of selfishness, which he had shown on many occasions great and small at Baragong These panagerics were bestowed with discretion, not being told to Elsie herself, but brought out incidentally in conversation with Grandfather, who thought highly of Brandon and never ceased to extol his politeness. Elsie and Brandon had a railway carriage to themselves for a considerable part of the way, and he thought he could never have a better opportunity of declaring himself. So, with rather less stammering and hesitation than is usual on such occasions, for he had not the least doubt of a favourable answer, he made Elsie understand that he loved her and asked for her love in return.  Why no, Miss Alice? Yes, sounds a great deal prettier. I'll take such good care of you, and I am sure you will like Australia. Peggy has not given you a very dismal account of Baragong, and I have had it very much improved since her time, and I will have a great deal more done to it, and before we go I will have your book printed. My book, said Elsie, what book? Your poems. I know they are beautiful, Peggy told me about them, and we will have them brought out in the very best style, and I will be so proud to think what a genius I've got for my own darling. Elsie sighed deeply, tried to speak, but could not. It was a good sign, Mr. Brandon thought. A sigh was ten times more encouraging than a smile. He knew he had hit upon the right thing when he had spoken of her poems. It was wonderful how discerning love had made him. You are mistaken, Mr. Brandon, she said with difficulty, scarcely daring to raise her eyes to the level of his waistcoat. I am no genius, and my poems are not worth printing. Poor, crude, empty productions. I believe I can make caps and bonnets, but that is all that I can do. That is only your opinion of yourself. But with my will you shall make no more frippery of the kind. It is quite beneath you. It is not beneath me to earn an honest livelihood. No, but it was cruel to make you have to do it. I've been so sorry for you all these months when Miss Melville told me how you were employed. Do not say anything more about your pity for me. It pains me. It is not pity. It is love, he said stoutly. Love borne of pity.  I never can be your wife. The most unsuitable, the most wrong thing that I could do. Do not speak any more about it." Elsie's real distress convinced Brandon of her sincerity, but it set him on a wrong scent. There must be a rival. No doubt she must love someone else, or she would have given him a hearing. It was not possible that a girl would prefer poverty, solitude, and a position like that which she held at Mrs. Dunn's, to marriage with a good-looking, good-tempered fellow like himself, who would deny her nothing, and who intended to be the kindness husband in the world if her heart was disengaged. Now poor Elsie was as wholehearted as a girl could be, but her manner of refusing him made him think of a number of little signs which looked as if she were the victim of a hopeless attachment. Her sadness, her poetry, her little sighs, her diffidence, her pining away were all due to the shameful conduct of one who in happier days had sought her hand, and had deserted her when fortune changed. His pity for her increased, but his love did not. If she had the bad taste to prefer a sad memory to a living lover, she might do so. He did not care to inquire as to the particulars of her unhappy love, even if he thought it honourable to do so. The truth is that Mr. Brandon did not love Elsie very much, though he thought he did so when he asked her. If she had said yes, if she had looked at him with grateful eyes, and told him that she would try to do her best to make him happy, his love would have become real, and would have surprised both himself and her by its strength and its steadiness. But he had never dreamed of such a thing as a refusal, and he had hastened his proposal, not from any feeling of insincerity, but from a desire to make Elsie very happy, and to do it as soon as possible. But he had been refused, positively refused. Elsie might have said more of the obligation to him, might have been more grateful for the compliment which he had paid her, Walter Brandon thought it would have been graceful to do so, but she had said nothing of the kind. She sat in a rigid, painful silence till they reached the next station, where other passengers joined them, and put an end to a tet-a-tet which was rather awkward for both parties. She felt that she had given pain and mortification to a man who had meant well by her, and she did not dare to open her lips in consolation or extenuation. She could not trust herself to speak. She would not venture to renew any solicitation. For Lauren and Humboldt as she was, she felt that she was in the greatest danger, that it was a tremendous bribe that was offered her. She had Peggy's story ringing in her ears, and thought of Peggy's insight in Peggy's courage. The weak and facile Mr. Brandon was apt to fall in love, or to fancy that he did so, with any woman he came much in contact with, and she was as unsuitable for him, even more unsuitable than Peggy was. The discipline of the last ten months had been too severe for her. It had crushed her spirit and injured her health. She felt alarmed about her cough, and recently had been thinking more of the blessedness of an early death than the happiness of an early marriage.  His offer appeared to her to be rash and imprudent. What did he know of her to warrant him in risking his life's happiness in such a way? But yet, though it was foolish in him to ask her, and though it would have been very wrong in her to accept him, she was grateful, so grateful. How little Walter Brandon could guess how grateful she felt, when after their journey was over, he took her cold, trembling hand, and placed her in her carriage that was to take them to Dr. Phillips's. You seem afraid of me, Miss Alice, said he. Do not think that I will say another word on the subject if it is painful to you. I know better than to persecute a woman with my addresses. If I see she does not like them. But do you really not like them? No, I do not, said Elsley abruptly. You will see hundreds of other women who would suit you far better than I could do. If you would only love me, I should be quite satisfied with your suiting me. But if you cannot, there need be no more said about it. Jane was engaged with her pupils when her sister arrived, and Mrs. Phillips, who had not been very regular in her attendance at school lately, stayed in the room this morning in order to see and remark upon Miss Melville's pretty sister. She could see little beauty in the sad face, with the weary look about the eyes, and the lines round the mouth, that had been the result of Elsley's real experience of life. The figure Mrs. Phillips confessed to her husband and to Mr. Brandon was rather good, but wanted development. It was too much of the whipping-post order. The Mrs. Phillips said they really thought Jane the better looking of the two girls, for she had such a beautiful expression, while Mr. Phillips said that Elsley had fallen off sadly since he saw her in Edinburgh at the New Year. She had struck him then as being very pretty, but he did not think so now, and, of course, in every other respect but personal appearance she could not be compared with her sister. Dr. Phillips said he must have her examined about her cough, for it should not be trifled with. He had hoped that it had been not too long neglected. All these remarks, coming immediately after his refusal by the object of them, made Brandon somewhat reconciled to the circumstance, though if he had had a kinder answer they would have made no difference in his feelings toward Elsley, but would probably have made him love her all the more. When Harriet Phillips spoke in warm praise of Miss Melville's excellent understanding and her fine, open, intelligent expression of countenance, he thought he never saw her own countenance look so open or attractive. He felt disposed to be consoled, and he was very sure that she was quite willing to console him. Jane saw much amiss with her darling sister at the first glance, but hoped that the change, and Dr. Phillips's advice, which he had said would be at her service, and her own society, would benefit Elsley greatly. Elsley did not muster courage to tell Jane of the incident of the railway journey till they had retired for the night. You know I could not answer otherwise, Jane. I did not love him. Do not be angry with me," said Elsley apologetically. Angry with you, my dear child! No, I honour you," said Jane. You see, Jane, I had been so unhappy, so ill, and so low-spirited, that I could easily have snatched at an escape from this dreary life, and said I would marry him, but he would have been so disappointed when he came to know me. You do not love him now, Elsley, but could you not have learned to love him? It is not to be supposed that a girl has a ready-made attachment to be given to the first man who sees fit to ask her. She must take a little time. But Jane, though he's been very kind to us, you know, you remember Peggy, and what she said about him? Jane nodded ascent. I know I have been rude about it. I ought to have said much that I felt, but when girls say such things they either give more pain afterwards or get committed. Oh, Jane, tell me again that I have been right. Right? Yes, said Jane thoughtfully. Perhaps you ought to have a man of more fixed principles, if he could be had. But, Elsley, my darling, it is not who we ought to have in the world, but who will have us. Reflect that you may never have such an offer, or indeed another offer of any kind again. I do not mean to bias your judgment, my own dear sister. Only think, he has, as you say, been very kind. He is not faultless, but who is? Ask for Peggy's story, that was many years ago, and so far as I can judge from our friends here, he bears an excellent character. We should not condemn a man for life on account of something wrong done, or, as in this case, only purposed when very young, and in circumstances of temptation which you and I, perhaps, can scarcely appreciate. He took Peggy's first answer in a right spirit, and you can see how he respects her. All I have seen of him since I came to London has disposed me to think favorably of him. His temper is the finest in the world, I think. Finer than Francis's? said Elsley, who knew her sister's very great regard for her cousin, and never fancyed she could think any man his superior in any point. Yes, sonnier than Francis's. But he has not have so clever or so cultivated, remonstrated Elsley. His cleverness lies in a different direction. I think him inferior to Francis in every way, said Elsley, and that weighed with me in giving my answer. You should think your husband the very best person you ever saw. Perhaps when he is your husband you may, but I fancy that a girl who has a good father and brothers does not at once give a man this preference when he asks for her hand. As I said before, he is not faultless, but would not life with him be preferable to life as it is for you now? Don't, Jane. Don't side with my cowardly self. To marry him, not loving him, as he perhaps deserves to be loved. Not honoring him as I know I should honor my husband, but merely because I am miserable. How cruel to him! How base in myself! I know, besides that he only pities me. Oh, Jane, if it were only life with you I could bear it better. But I am so weary of that workroom at Mrs. Dunn's, and of seeing people there whom I used to know, and getting a pitying sort of recognition from them. The very girls in the workroom pity me, and Peggy pities me, and even the children and their grandfather pity me. Oh, Jane, Jane, I am tired, tired to death of all this pity. Nobody ever thought of pitying you in your hardest times. You could hold up your head, and mine seems as if I could never raise it more. It must have been only pity in Mr. Brandon's case. What did he know of me to make him love me?  My darling, you must not lose all pride in yourself in this way. I wish half the offers of marriage that are made were founded on as much respect as Mr. Brandon felt for you. Though he talked slidingly of your work at Mrs. Dunn's, do not fancy but that he honors you for doing it. Besides, though he is not very literary, he may admire your talents. He meant to please you by speaking about your poems. If he thinks I could be brilliant in society, or do him any credit in that way, he would be sure to be disappointed, and what a terrible thing it must be to disappoint a husband. It is not so much as deficiencies as my own that weigh upon me. And besides, Jane, I am not well. I really think I am going into a consumption. The sooner the better, if it were not for you, my dearest, and to marry any one with such a conviction would be positively wicked. Oh, you are not going into a consumption, Elsie. I hope and believe, said Jane, as cheerfully as she could. Your apprehension of such a thing shows that you are in no danger. You will see Dr. Phillips to-morrow morning, and get something to set you to rights. I am glad you are joining us here for the sake of his advice. I like him so very much, and I think him clever. Perhaps not naturally so acute as Dr. Vivian, but he has had such a large practice so long, and so little wedded to routine, and so willing to accept of any new light that can be thrown on medicine, that his greater experience more than counterbalances his son's greater talent. And he is so cheerful, too.  I know it does me a great deal of good, and it must benefit you. You are very happy here, honoured and useful and well-paid, said Elsie. Oh, yes, dear, I have a great deal to be thankful for, and in time we will be able to be together always. In the meantime your holiday must be enjoyed to the utmost. So the sisters talked of their plans for the future, and of the routine of their past life, as cheerfully as they could, and tried to banish Mr. Brandon from their thoughts. Elsie was asleep first, and then Jane anxiously lay awake, weighing the probabilities about her health and her recovery, and also thinking with approval, but certainly with regret, of Elsie's conscientious refusal of so excellent an offer as she had that day received. Her own opinion of Mr. Brandon had risen since she had known him better, and she believed that Elsie would have suited him extremely well. She only hoped that he would not accept her sister's answer as final, at least if Dr. Phillips pronounced favourably on the subject of her health. CHAPTER V Elsie accepts of a new situation. When Dr. Phillips had asked Elsie a great number of questions on all sorts of subjects that seemed but remotely connected with the cough that she was so alarmed about, had sounded her chest, had gone through the several forms of examination, Now, said she, doctor, tell me the truth, I am not at all afraid to hear it. I have no dread of death, indeed, I rather desire it than otherwise. I am sorry to hear it, my dear girl, for I do not see any chance of it.  You have been overworked and underfed. You have been out of doors only in the early morning and the late evening, and have scarcely seen the sun for months. You have had a great deal on your spirits and been exceedingly dull. You have missed your excellent sister and I do not wonder at it. It would have been a miracle if you could have kept your health this unkindly spring with all these drawbacks, but you have nothing whatever alarming in your case. My dear Miss Melville, continued he, turning to Jane, I assure you that your sister only wants what she has come to England to obtain. Change, cheerful society, sunshine and generous diet, to restore her to perfect health. Elsie gave one side this verdict. Do not think me ungrateful, Dr. Phillips. I should be thankful to be restored to health, but life has been so hard for me lately that I felt almost glad to think that, without any fault of my own, God was going to take me away, and that Jane would join me by and by when her work was done. She is fit for the work she has got to do, and I appear to be so unfit for it. I suppose we ought to love life. It is a sign that one is out of health when one does not, said Dr. Phillips. Your depression of spirits is more physical than mental, but then it reacts upon your health. You used to be cheerful before you left that place. What do you call it, where my old friend Hogarth brought you up? Yes, quite cheerful, said Elsie, but things have gone very differently with me since. Well, you must regain your old spirits if possible, and in the meantime get on your bonnet and have a little drive with me, while Miss Melville is busy with her pupils. If you won't mind a few stoppages, we will have a pleasant round, through as pretty a part of the country as England can boast of. Jane asked privately for Dr. Phillips' opinion, being sure that he gave Elsie his brightest view of her case. There is nothing positively wrong with her at present, Miss Melville, but she has got into such a low tone of health that she needs care. She must never return to such a life as she has lately had. She must have a lighter employment, more open air, and better food. It is so difficult, said Jane, to get employment. I am sure there are a thousand chances against my finding such an excellent situation as I have with Mrs. Phillips. And a thousand chances against their meeting with such an excellent governess and housekeeper. The pleasure is mutual, I am sure. I must see what your sister is fit for when she is a little stronger. Both Elsie and Jane saw at once that Mr. Brandon was disposed to take Elsie's rejection as a final decision, and that he would have no difficulty in transferring his attentions, if not his affections, to Miss Harriet Phillips. Elsie felt that she could not have been much admired or loved when he could so soon attach himself to a woman so very different from herself. Here it certainly might be love without any mixture of pity. He made himself very agreeable, and Miss Harriet was not so much flattered as gratified. All his homage was received by her as her due. There were no quick flushes of pleasure or surprise at any little mark of kindness or attention. No disclaiming of any compliment which was paid her as exaggerated or undeserved. The smile of perfect self-complacency sat on her face and gave ease to her every action and every speech. She never hesitated in giving her opinion. She never qualified or withdrew it when given. She knew herself to be perfectly well-informed and perfectly well-bred. She felt herself to be Mr. Brandon's superior in every point, in natural ability, in education, in acquired manner, in social position, and of course in moral character also, for she had no faith in the goodness of the other sex. She saw many of their faults and guessed it many more, and she did not see or understand their virtues, and Brandon made no pretense to being particularly good, and spoke slidingly of her favourite clergyman, who was rather too high-church in his notions to please the latitudinarian ideas of an Australian bushman. Her connection with the country standlies gave her a prestige that Mr. Brandon could never have, for his family were only middle-class people, not at all intellectual or aristocratic. Her brother was astonished to see how much more Georgiana and Harriet spoke of their relations by the mother's side, who had never done anything for them, than those good uncles and aunts, Philipses, who had invited them for the holidays and given them toys and books without number. But all his laughing at his sisters could not alter their views, and his own wife sided with the ladies and was very proud of her husband's aristocratic name and relations, though she had none of her own. Though in all these respects Harriet Philips was so much Mr. Brandon's superior, she was disposed to accept of him when he asked her, as he was sure to do. It was so difficult for her to meet with her equal, either social, intellectual, or moral, and a husband, even though an Australian, began to be looked upon as a desirable thing at her time of life. And though Brandon was not fascinated by her, though he was not interested in her, though he felt no thrill in touching her hand, no exquisite delight in listening to her voice or her singing, he began to feel that this was to be his fate, and that the quiet, pale girl who had refused him would not make so suitable a wife for him as Harriet Philips, after all. He was somewhat astonished, however, when he heard from this last named lady, about a week after Elsie Melville's arrival, that her sister-in-law had engaged her services as a ladies' maid. A ladies' maid was what Mrs. Philips had long desired to have, and now, when she saw Elsie's excellent taste, both in dressmaking and millinery, she thought that with a few lessons in hairdressing she might suit her very nicely, and it would be quite a boon to the poor girl, whom Dr. Philips had forbidden to return to her situation in Edinburgh. Mr. Philips, though he thought that a ladies' maid was rather beyond his circumstances and his wife's fear, hoped such good things from her associating constantly with two such women as Jane and Elsie Melville, that he readily gave his consent. Elsie as readily agreed to serve in this inferior capacity. The pleasure of being near her sister was not to be refused on account of being so far subordinated to her. She was deeply impressed with her own inferiority, and fell into her place at once. Harriet Philips could not help a slight sneer at her sister-in-law's assumption in this new step towards gentility, but as she was going to London with the family, she had no doubt that Elsie would be glad to be of service to her too, as she appeared to be very good-natured and willing to oblige a family who had been so very kind to her sister and herself. There were so many things that were secured for Elsie by this arrangement, which were imperatively necessary for her health, that Jane submitted to it as the best possible under the circumstances, though she feared that Mrs. Philips would show Elsie the caprice and bad temper which she dared not show to herself. And in this she was not mistaken, for Elsie was so yielding and so diffident that her new mistress exercised a great deal of real tyranny over her, varied by fitful acts of liberality and kindness. Peggy Walker opened her eyes very wide when she heard of both the young ladies, whom she had been accustomed to look up to, being dependent in this way on Mrs. Philips, whom she had always looked down upon, but she knew that the sisters were together and that that was a happiness to both that outweighed many other drawbacks. She herself was very much engrossed with the care of grandfather, who as well as Elsie had felt the ungenial spring very trying, and who did not seem to rally as the season advanced, so she was thankful that Elsie was otherwise bestowed than in her house of sickness. Dr. Philips had the satisfaction of seeing a considerable improvement in Elsie before she left Derbyshire, and used to have her company in his morning drives to visit his patients, when her pleasant conversation and winning manner made him erelong prefer her to her graver and less pliant sister. He missed both the girls when they went to London, and even Dr. Vivian paid Jane the compliment of regretting her society a little for a week. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Mr. Hogarth's Will by Catherine Helen Spence Chapter 6 A Letter from Australia for Francis, which causes surprise in an unexpected quarter A few weeks after the return of Mr. Philips with his family, his sister Harriet and our friends Jane and Elsie to London, where the courtship, or rather dangling, of Mr. Brandon was going on in the same uninteresting manner, but with no apparent jar to prevent its leading to matrimony at last, Jane was surprised by the sight of her cousin Francis, who said he had come to the metropolis chiefly for the purpose of seeing her. I called it Peggy Walkers before I left Scotland, said Francis, but the family write to you so frequently that I suppose you know all the news. The old man is looking very ill. However, I was quite struck by the change in his appearance. I do not think that situation healthy. I feel very glad you and Elsie have both left it. How is Elsie getting on with Mrs. Philips? Tolerably, only tolerably, but her health is better, decidedly better. And you, Jane, you are looking much better than when I saw you in Edinburgh last. You have not written to me at such lengths about your cottages and your allotments as I expected, Francis. I suppose you are too busy to have time to write. But now you have come, we can talk over all these matters. It had not been voluntary, or without a great effort, that Francis had so much slackened his close correspondence with Jane. But her letters were so cheerful, she seemed so busy and hopeful, she saw so many people, and appeared to be so much appreciated by Mr. Philips and by all his family, that he had no hope of her allowing him to make the sacrifice he longed to make, and he thought he must try to accustom himself to look on her as lost to him. I have been busy, said he, but I do not attempt to excuse myself by such a reason. I have not given you answers at all worthy of your letters. I have always thought that it is considered the great art in a gentleman's letter that he should put a great deal of matter in a few words, while a lady peaks herself on making an excellent letter out of nothing. If your letters were shorter than mine, they were not, on that account, unsatisfactory," said Jane. Your observation of character and manners is so much more acute than mine, that you can see and hear nothing which you cannot photograph faithfully, and make an interesting picture of, and you seem to have interesting people to write about," said Francis. I do not think that if I had been at Cross Hall and you in London, my letters would have been the longest. Our old neighbors were very uninteresting. Do you not find them so? All except Miss Thompson, whose acquaintance I have recently made, and who has enough of originality and goodness about her to give some salt to the district. She is much interested in both of you, especially in Elsie, whom she saw at Mrs. Dunn's, and got to make something for her, which has given the greatest satisfaction. I must tell this to Elsie," said Jane. She needs a little praise, and it does her good. But I want first to consult you about a letter I received the day before I left home," said Francis. This was his excuse for exposing himself to Jane's influence again. The thing might have been done by letter, but he scarcely thought it could be so well done. He had first seen Mr. MacFarlane in Edinburgh, and then hastened to London to ask the advice of the dearest friend he had in the world on the subject of this ill-written and ill-expressed letter. It ran as follows. Melbourne, 20 April, 1850. My dear son Frank, I have heard that you are coming to the property at last. I knew he could not keep it from you, though he wanted to, for you was the heir and had the rights to get it. I hope you will not forget a mother that has always remembered you, though I was forced apart from you when you was very little, so you will scarce know my face again. I would not stand in your light, and it has turned out all right for you. I had an allowance of a hundred and fifty pounds a year from him as long as he lived, and when it stopped I made some inquiry, and found that you had got cross-haul, and all that he had. I think that I should have got some notice of his being dead, but I am quite used to being neglected. I hope you will not let me be any poorer, but the contrary, for I have been a better mother to you than many one makes more fuss. It was him as would not let me keep you, and drove me away to Australia. I would come to see you now that he is out of the way, but I cannot afford the expense. If I had not met with such ungrateful conduct from them as ought to have provided for me, I might have been rich enough. But it is a bad world, and the longer I live I see that it gets worse and worse. It will be for your advantage to keep friendly with me, and at any rate you will do as much as your father did, which was little enough, God knows. But I expect as the baby I loved so dear will be a good kind son to me now you have come into the property. Addressed to Mrs. Peck, care of Henry Talbot Esquire, Solicitor, Street, Melbourne. I was not allowed to keep my own name or to take his, and so everybody knows me by the name of Mrs. Peck. But I am really and truly your affectionate mother, Elizabeth Hokearth. P.S. Send me an answer and a remittance by the first mail. I am very badly off and need money. Jane read this letter twice over and looked at the address in the postmark carefully. What do you think of it? he said anxiously. Have you asked Mr. McFarland if he thinks this letter genuine? He never saw any of Elizabeth Hokearth's writing, any communication which my father received from her he must have destroyed at once. Did he know anything of the one hundred and fifty pounds a year? He thought it probable some money was paid to keep her at a distance, but did not know anything as to how much it was or when it was sent. Is there any trace in the banking transactions of my uncle of such a payment being remitted regularly to Australia? I can see nothing of the kind. I looked over some old books with that intention, but your uncle's books were not by any means so minute and methodical as yours. He drew large sums and he did not record how he spent them, whereas your housekeeping books are models of accurate accounts. I hope Mr. Phillips appreciates your talents in this line. Quite sufficiently I assure you, but with regard to this letter, what was Mr. McFarland's advice on the subject? asked Jane. To take no notice whatever of it, for that would only bring trouble and discredit on me if she was no impostor, and be a very foolish thing if she was. He says that he had mentioned to my father, when he was making his will, that in all probability the widow, if left out of the will, would come upon the air and extort something very handsome from him. But that Mr. Hogarth had said sternly that she could not do it, for she had not a scrap of evidence that she dared bring forward to prove that she had ever been his wife. That he had no objection to provide handsomely for me, for I had proved I was worthy of it, but for her she had been a thorn in his side all his life, that he had done all for her that he meant to do, and all that she expected him to do. This made Mr. McFarland think that he had given her some of money to get rid of her claims, and not a yearly allowance. She had certainly parted with me for money, and took no further care for my happiness. Mr. McFarland never told me this before, but he wished to put me on my guard about this letter. My uncle certainly must have been a good deal excited when he made his will, said Jane. Mr. McFarland says he certainly was so, and has no doubt he would have altered it had he lived a little longer, provided you had not married Mr. Dalsel, which was his great fear for you. Do you feel disposed then to answer this letter, or to prosecute any inquiries? The whole affair is full of such unmitigated bitterness, said Francis, that I shrink from stirring it up, but yet I certainly ought to know if this woman is my mother or not. Should not I, Jane? I rely on your judgment. It is your affair, Francis, not mine. I can scarcely dare to advise. What would you do under such circumstances? I cannot tell what, with your character, I would do under such circumstances, said Jane. But with your character, which is a thousand times better than mine, my dear Jane, only think for me. Things have been taken so much out of my hands by this detestable will that I seem to lose the power of judging altogether on any matter that relates to it. I cannot aid when I most wish to do it. My father did not positively forbid me to assist my mother. I suppose if he had done so, it would have raised as vehement a desire to that course of action as I now feel to oppose all his other prohibitions. The expression of Francis's face was earnest, almost impassioned, as it turned towards Jane. She felt now that there was a reason for his apparent coolness, a reason that made her heart beat fast, and her eyes fill. She did not speak for a few moments till she felt that her voice would not betray her and then said, Since you ask my advice I will give it, such as it is. I think I should, in your circumstances, make some inquiries, and you have come to the place where you are most likely to have them answered. I daresay Mr. Phillips knows Mr. Talbot, for I have heard his name in conversation, and if you have no objections to telling him about this letter he could write, or better still, Mr. Brandon, who talks of returning very soon, could make personal inquiries about this Mrs. Peck. It is quite possible she may be an impostor, for a good deal has been said in the newspapers about your inheriting Cross Hall, and she evidently has got the right account of the story. She supposes you get it as heir-at-law and not by will. It is an easy way of extorting money, to give out that one is a near relation of yours, and especially one of whom you have caused to be ashamed. Her story, of a yearly allowance, does not agree with Mr. McFarlane's impression either, but that may be policy, not positive, unfounded fabrication. The orthography of this letter is not good, but the expressions are more like vulgar English than Scotch. Your mother's name was Scotch, and it was, at all events, a Scotch marriage. Will you speak to Mr. Phillips on the subject? He is kind, sensible, and discreet. Yes, I will. You think I ought to do so? He is at home just now. Suppose I ask him to come and see you? Francis agreed, and was pleased with the kind reception which Jane's employer gave to him as her cousin. He praised Miss Melville very highly, and said that in every point of view she was a treasure in his house. He then gave slighter praise to Elsie, but still spoke very feelingly of the position of both girls. After a few such remarks, Francis asked Mr. Phillips if he knew Mr. Talbot, a solicitor in Melbourne. Yes, by sight and by reputation very well, but he was not a personal acquaintance of mine. Mr. Brandon was a client of his, and so was Peggy Walker. They could give you any information about him you might require. I suppose it is of no use asking you such a question, but do you know anything of a woman called Mrs. Peck, Elizabeth Peck, a client of...? The expression of Mr. Phillips's face stopped Francis's hesitating disclosure. Have nothing to do with her, said he, a bad one if there ever was one on this earth. Good heavens! What am I to hear next? She says she is my mother, said Francis. Perhaps it is not the same woman, said Mr. Phillips. Your mother? That must be a very old story. You look to be forty or thereabouts. It must be a different person. The trouble of Mr. Phillips's manner was undergoing some improvement. He walked steadily across the room two or three times, and then said more steadily, Has she written to you? Would you let me see the handwriting? The address was in a different hand from the letter itself, so Francis could not but show Mr. Phillips the body of the letter. May I read it? It is a delicate matter, I know, but I will be secret, secret as the grave. Mr. Hogarth assented, and Mr. Phillips read the letter through and then returned it. She says she is your mother, and for this very reason I believe she is not. For if ever there was a woman possessed with the spirit of falsehood she is that woman. Mr. Hogarth, take no notes of her. Do not answer her letter. Send her no money. She is not so poor as she represents herself to be. I am glad you asked me about her and no one else. Who is she? What is she? was rising to Francis's lips, but the sight of Mr. Phillips's evident suffering checked his questions. After a short pause he said that Miss Melville had advised him to consult Mr. Phillips. Good God! Did you say anything about this to Miss Melville? said Mr. Phillips. Yes, I did. I came to consult her on the letter, but it will go no further. Let us call her back. Where is she? said Francis. In the drawing room, said Mr. Phillips, ringing the bell violently, with Mrs. Phillips and Harriet and Brandon, who has just come in. Alice is out on some errand, I believe, so that Miss Melville cannot speak to her, and surely she will not speak on your private matters to my wife and sister. Jane was soon brought back to the breakfast room, in which she had left her cousin with Mr. Phillips, and was surprised at the disturbed looks of both gentlemen. Mr.  Her assertions in this letter are, no doubt, false. It is in keeping with her character that they should be so. He will take no further notice of the matter, and I hope and trust that her name will never pass your lips, even to your sister, while under my roof, or even after you have left it. Mr. Hogarth, you will do us the honour to dine with us to-morrow at half-past six. Mrs. Phillips and I will be most happy to see you, and so saying Mr. Phillips hurriedly left the room, leaving Jane and Francis and the greatest bewilderment. I am not so sure that this Mrs. Peck is not my mother, for Mr. Phillips's opinion of her is exactly the same as my father's, but I think I will inquire no further. If inquiry is to grieve and annoy the best friend you have ever have, I will ask no questions. She may write again when she finds she gets no answer, and bring forward something more tangible than these vague allegations. But is this Mr. Phillips a passionate or vindictive man? Quite the contrary. I never saw him agitated in this way before. He is of a remarkably easy temper, most indulgent to those around him. He is kind, both to you and to Elsie. Very kind indeed, and very considerate. If Mrs. Phillips were as much so we would both be very comfortable indeed, said Jane. Does she show you any temper? asked Francis. No, she dares not do it, for I am useful and save her much trouble, and I have so much confidence in myself that I will not be interfered with.  Everyone imposes on Elsie. Ms. Phillips is inconsiderate too, though she should know better. The servants impose on her, and the children too, though she is so fond of the children, that I think on the whole they do her good. Do not you find that Elsie being here in such a capacity makes your superintendents of the servants more difficult? asked Francis. Yes, I require to be more circumspect and more firm, but my life is quite easy compared to hers. If I could only restore Elsie to that moderately good opinion which she used to have of herself in her more prosperous days, a great grief would be taken off my heart. I am the strongest. Why should not I have the most to bear? Have you tried her poems in London personally? I have, but without success, and she has quite lost the wish to have them published. Your good opinion of her verses only gave her a little temporary encouragement. She writes none now, I suppose? She has no time, even if she had the inclination. Mrs. and Ms. Phillips keep her so busy that I have difficulty in getting her out in the middle of the day to join me and the children on our walk or drive, but that the doctor insisted on as absolutely necessary, and I will not allow her to be deprived of it. He took quite a fancy to Elsie and showed her much kindness. You ought to go see him for your father's sake. But as to Elsie's poetry she does nothing in this way except improvising to the children in the evening as she is sitting at work. When they found out that she could, as they say, make verses up out of her own head, they think all their stories should be transferred in ballads, and either said or sung to them. They are honest in their admiration of the talent, but rather exacting in their demands for its exercise. On the whole, I think, however, that it does her good, and I know the children are fonder of her than of me. I am so glad to see her preferred. Do you see much of Mr. Brandon? Could not he restore your sister to the self-appreciation so essential to happiness and contentment? Jane shook her head. He is devoting himself to Ms. Phillips, and Elsie scarcely ever sees him. One consequence of her taking this situation, said Francis somewhat impatiently. I fancy he admired her when I saw him at Peggy Walker's months ago, and that he only wanted to be more in her society to have the impression deepened. Did you not think so? His admiration went a little way, but not far, said Jane. Not so far as to lead to a proposal, said Francis. People are generally far gone before they reach that point, said Jane, hoping to escape thus from a rather searching question, but a look from Francis, very sad, yet very pleasing to herself, made her change the subject altogether. She liked to believe that she was very dear to him. They could never marry. There was far too much to forbid it—duty, interest, near-relationship. Francis's life and career were too important to be tackled to any woman's apron strings, even though that woman was herself, and the plan she had so much delighted in she could see worthily carried out. She would not be the hindrance and stumbling block to any good life, and least of all to his. But until he met with a woman to be his wife and helpmate, she rejoiced to feel that she was first in his heart. When that event took place, as it ought to do before long, she would of course retire to a second and inferior position, but it was something to rest in with pleasure, that if it had been right and expedient she would never have been displaced. Sometimes mere possibilities, thoughts of what might have been, give very precious memories to cheerful tempers, while to those who are of a sad nature they only enhance the gloominess of the present. Jane was not so cowardly as to let Francis see that she regretted anything for herself, and she proceeded to tell of her handsome salary, and how small her expenses had been, so that she was saving money. That Elsie's salary would be at least equal to what she had had at Mrs. Dunn's, and that the twenty-four pounds a year which he was allowed to give them was added to their savings, so that they were really making up a little hoard to begin business with Peggy when she left Scotland for Melbourne. She spoke of her money matters with frankness and confidence, and her cousin could not but see that she had now reasonable hope of prosperity. They had had a very long conversation before Elsie came in. She had had a number of troublesome commissions to execute, and had been detained beyond expectation, but had acquitted herself to Mrs. Phillips's satisfaction, and now came in with a little glow of pleasure on her face to meet her cousin, to feel the warmth of his affectionate money, to have a little talk about books and poetry, to refresh her for her monotonous and uninteresting daily work. Nothing was said about the letter Francis had received, and Jane and he seemed desirous to banish it from their memory. CHAPTER VII Harriet Phillips does a little bit of shopping, which is somewhat fatal to her projects. Among other purchases which Elsie had made on the day of Francis's arrival were the materials for a bonnet for Mrs. Phillips, which she had chosen, and which, as she was busily engaged in making up, so much excited Harriet's admiration that she was seized with the desire to have one like it immediately, only that hers must be of a different colour and a little modified in shape to suit her different complexion and contour of face. On the following morning, as she was going out shopping herself, she asked Elsie to accompany her, to give her the benefit of her taste on this as well as some other purchases. Mr. Brandon was asked if he was not going down Regent Street. He said he was, and he would be very happy to go with Mrs. Phillips, as he had nothing particular to do, and Phillips was out, and Jane had the children at their lessons, and he did not find it amusing to be left teta-teta with Mrs. Phillips. Miss Harriet was quite unaware of her own weakness, or she never would have asked a lover to go with her in a draper's shop. Elsie had seen something of Mrs. Phillips's unreasonableness and unscrupulousness, but this was the first time she had been with her sister-in-law, and she did not expect from a young lady of such professed good principles and good nature such an utter abnegation of these excellent qualities in dealing with tradespeople. She blushed for her companion, who did not blush for herself. She herself chose quickly, with the certain judgment of a fine taste and a practised eye, but what she fixed on, as most suitable for Miss Phillips's complexion and style, was not always of a suitable price. When driven from the expensive to something cheaper, then it was shabby and not fit to wear. Miss Phillips had come out determined to get as good things as possible and to pay as small a price as possible for them. She would not be put off with an inferior article, and yet she was not willing to give the value of a superior. Elsie, who had herself waited on ladies of this character and felt her body ache all over from the fatigue of being civil to them, was sorry for the shopmen, who fetched out box after box and displayed article after article without anything being exactly the thing which their customer wanted, while Walter Brandon stood beside the two ladies, finding it harder than ever to feel sentimental about Harriet Phillips. Lee Hunt recommends men to choose their wives in draper's shops, for if a woman is conscientious, reasonable and expeditious there, he thinks a man may be sure she will be fit for all the duties of life. But perhaps this test is too severe for general use, for many of the best wives and mothers, the kindest of friends and the most pious of Christians, are far from appearing amiable under circumstances of such great temptation. The obsequious manners of British shopmen, who never show any spirit or any resentment, tend to lull conscience, while the strife between the desire for display and style and the love of money makes many women at once fastidious and unscrupulous. To Brandon, Harriet Phillips' conduct appeared ill-bred and mean. He could not help contrasting her with Elsie Melville, and acknowledging that the latter was the real gentlewoman. He began also to observe a certain imperiousness in Harriet's manner to Elsie herself, which struck him as being particularly ungraceful, and the old pity began to reawaken the old love. He had sometimes wished to speak to Elsie just a few words to show that he had not been offended or peaked at her refusal, but never had had any opportunity, and on this occasion Miss Harriet did not seem disposed to give him any. At last, after being in several shops and turning over innumerable boxes of ribbons, laces, blondes, flowers, etc., all was purchased that was required, and even Miss Phillips was perfectly satisfied with the selection she had made. Oh, dear! she said, looking at her watch. How late it is! I quite intended to be in time for luncheon, for we started so early. Morning is always the best time for shopping. At least I find I am better attended to, then. But we are too late, and Mrs. Phillips will not wait for us. We had better have something to eat here, for I am very hungry. So, Mr. Brandon, I trust you to find some place where we can make a comfortable luncheon. I have no doubt you know the best restaurateur, and afterwards you will get us a cab to go home in. I like to make gentlemen useful when I take them shopping with me. I am quite at your service, said Brandon, for, as I said before, I have nothing particular to do. That is taking all the grace out of your gallantry, said Miss Phillips, but if you acquit yourself well I will forgive you that impolite speech. Brandon did as he was desired, took the ladies to a fashionable restaurateur's, asked them what they would like, and ordered and paid for a very good and very expensive luncheon. Then he brought a cab and accompanied them home. I really wish my brother could keep a carriage of his own, said Miss Phillips. That is one of the few extravagances I quite sympathize with Mrs. Phillips and her desire for. It is so disagreeable to have to trust these hired conveyances. One does not know who may have been in them before, and might catch fever or something of that kind. Perhaps one might, said Brandon, though it never entered my head to think of such disagreeable things. But then I have never been accustomed to ride in a carriage of my own. Riding on horseback was my only means of locomotion at Berrigan, and Melbourne, up to this time, has no such luxury for ordinary people as a hackney coachstand, so that I cannot help being surprised at the cheapness and convenience of cabbing it in London. Whereas both of you ladies have been accustomed to private carriages, and must feel this very inferior. Oh, Elsie! By the by so you were, I suppose," said Miss Phillips. I preferred riding on horseback in those days, said Elsie, but I think the drives with Dr. Phillips lately were the most delightful things I ever had in my life. After being quite debarred from anything but walking so long, I feel this hackney coach really luxurious, I assure you. The drives in Derbyshire did you good, Miss Phillips. You are looking better than when you came down," said Mr. Brandon. Oh, much better, said Miss Phillips. Papa said it was all nonsense her being so alarmed about her health, but both she and Miss Melville were a little frightened. London suits her better than Edinburgh. I have not heard you cough, Alice, for a week or more. Yes, my cough is quite gone, said Elsie, and I have much better spirits. But by the by, said Miss Phillips, I really want my bonnet to go out with tomorrow. Your London smoke is dreadfully destructive. I had no idea that mine was so bad till I put it on this bright day, and really it looks too shabby to wear, though I had intended to make it last another month. At home it would have looked better after three months' wear than it does after three weeks here. You know, Mrs. Phillips promised you should have it ready for me to go to the exhibition of pictures tomorrow by middle-day, continued she. I fear, said Elsie, that I cannot get it done in time, for we have been so much longer in Regent Street than I had expected, and it will be nearly dinnertime before we get home. And Mr. Phillips insists that as my cousin Francis is to dine with you today, I should be of the party. Indeed, said Harriet, and so you cannot finish my bonnet in time. It is a great disappointment to me. Mr. Phillips would not allow me to refuse, I know, and Jane, too, is anxious for me to have a talk with Francis. And you would like it yourself, too, said Mr. Brandon. Yes, very much indeed, said Elsie, honestly. I will be glad to have the chance of seeing you. By the by, Phillips forgot to ask me, but I will forgive him and invite myself. Oh, you need not stand on ceremony, said Harriet. You are in the habit of coming in and going out of the house like one of ourselves. But really, Alice, are you sure you could not do my bonnet for me? There is so little work on the bonnets nowadays, and you might have it done by two o'clock. Is not that the hour you appointed, Mr. Brandon? Yes, or say half-past, said Brandon. Well, by half-past, too. I am sure you have made bonnets in a greater hurry at your Edinburgh House of Business often enough. I have seen how very quick you are. I quite wondered at the rapidity with which you got on with Mrs. Phillips. But that is not finished, said Elsie, and I promised it for the same hour to go to the exhibition. I am very sorry, indeed, Miss Phillips, but unless you can induce Mr. Phillips to excuse my appearance at dinner, I cannot possibly do it for you. Oh, very well, said Harriet coldly. I have a bonnet to wear, though it really is rather shabby, and Mrs. Phillips takes such pains to have everything fresh and fashionable that I am sadly thrown into the shade.  But my brother is so exceedingly easy and indulgent he denies her nothing. Don't you think her dreadfully extravagant, Mr. Brandon? I should be ashamed to spend money as thoughtlessly as she does. She does not care what she pays for a thing if it takes her fancy. Now, my bonnet will not cost two-thirds of what hers has done, and it will look quite as pretty, will it not, Alice? A little different in style, but quite as well, said Elsie. You see, Mr. Brandon, that if I have seemed to take a great deal of trouble over my purchases it has been for some purpose. One cannot economize without some thought of being bestowed upon such things as these. Mr. Brandon could not but assent, but the act of politeness cost him an effort. Then you come to dine with us today to meet this Mr. Hogarth. Do you know I have a great curiosity to see him. His father and papa, being such old friends, long ago, gives me quite an interest in him, and the extraordinary story of his succession to his scotch property is so romantic. What is he like? Is he presentable? He was quite the rage in Edinburgh when I was there, about the new year, a reading man, and a man of considerable taste, just your sort, in fact. He is a great friend of Miss Melville's, though I fancy, Miss Alice, that you do not care so much for him. I like him very much indeed, though I was longer in doing him justice than Jane was. The circumstances of our first introduction were very painful, said Elsie. If he is a friend of your sister's, that is quite enough for me, said Harriet. I do not think I ever met with anyone so congenial to my taste as Miss Melville is. Ladies are so superficial nowadays, their education is all for show, and nothing solid or thorough in it. My dear father was so careful to give us a thoroughly good education. It is very seldom that we meet with anyone so well grounded as Miss Melville is. It is a good thing for my nieces that Stanley met with her. Your uncle must have meant that you should teach, Alice. Did Dr. Phillips mean that you should teach? said Brandon, bluntly. No, no, certainly, but Miss Melville has learned so much that it is quite valueless except in teaching. Oh, a great many things quite out of the way, but I meant that the groundwork was the same. Poor Alice, all this odd training was thrown away on you. Not thrown away, said Brandon, firmly. If it were not for Miss Alice's diffidence, she would soon let you know how much she has profited by it. You should hear Peggy Walker on the subject. I'm quite charmed with the estimation in which both you and my brother hold that wonderful woman, said Miss Harriet condescendingly. Stanley is quite enthusiastic about Peggy, and so am I, and with as good reason. Your brother owes her much, but I think I owe her more. More, said Harriet, oh, I see. Peggy nursed and saved the lives of Emily and little Harry, and perhaps of Mrs. Phillips, too, and my brother is greatly indebted to her, but I suppose she nursed your precious self through an illness all but mortal, so you are still more grateful. I know that you gentlemen think a great deal of number one. I understand the thing clearly. Walter Brandon paused a minute. No, that is not it, Miss Phillips, but Peggy raised my opinion of all women. Her courage, her devotion, her self-denial, and her truthfulness made me think more highly of all her sex, and if ever I am blessed with a wife she will have caused to cherish the memory of that homely Scotch woman. To think that a gentleman who had a mother and sister should need such a lesson from a woman like Peggy, said Harriet incredulously, one's mother and sisters are always looked on as exceptional people, placed like saints in a consecrated shrine, said Brandon, but here was a woman with no particularly careful training or education, battling with the world alone and unprotected, and doing always the right thing at the right time and in the right way, and truly she has her reward. Those orphan children will rise up and call her blessed, and if she has no husband to do it, her own works will praise her in the gates. I did not think that you knew as much of your Bible as to be able to make so long a quotation, said Miss Phillips, who could not understand or sympathize with Brandon's enthusiasm, but Elsie fully appreciated this generous and well-deserved tribute to Peggy's character. She saw now that she had been too rash in her rejection of her only lover. It was only now that she had lost him forever that she had discovered the real goodness of his character, but she was pleased, very much pleased, to find out that Peggy's conduct had been understood and admired by Mr. Brandon, and had done him such excellent service. To think him worthy was delightful, even though she should never see anything more of him hence-forward. The color rose to her cheek and the luster to her eye, and when Brandon's glance met her bright face, he could not help confessing that she was very pretty. Let the Philipses say what they pleased, and the idea of having a little conversation with her in the evening was much more agreeable to him than Harriet would have at all approved of.