ed me about a person in Melbourne, whom I know to
be an arrant cheat and liar. 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 in 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 had, 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; but poor Elsie is so diffident, so humble, so anxious to please,
that she is constantly imposed on by an ignorant, thoughtless woman.
Every one imposes on Elsie. Miss 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
superintendence 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,