her brother's kindness, and entrust
Edgar to his care. It was not without a great effort that she made up
her mind to part with her son, and she had many serious compunctions of
conscience afterwards; but as his letters home were regular and very
prettily expressed, and as his uncle Walter generally added a few lines
to say that the boy was doing remark ably well, and growing strong and
large, she took comfort, and hoped that all was for the best.

Brandon was rather surprised at the cool reception he got from Harriett
Phillips on his return; it was a relief to him to see that she could
part from him without regret, for he felt none at leaving her. He had
been putting on his Australian set of feelings, and preparing to like
his bush life very much, as he had done in reality before. He had Edgar
with him when he came to bid the Phillipses goodbye, and Emily was much
amused at the idea of this model lad going out to Melbourne in a large
ship, and seeing dear Wiriwilta before she could do so. She gave him
messages to some of the people, and desired him to inquire after the
welfare of her pet opossum and her rose-crested cockatoo, and write her
a full, true, and particular account of them all, and of how he liked
the colony, which Edgar readily promised to do.

"And so this Mr. Hogarth has left London, Emily?" said Mr. Brandon.

"Oh, he has gone home to see about getting into Parliament--what stupid
work it must be!"

"Don't talk so absurdly," said Aunt Harriett.

"I see by the newspapers that he is likely to be put up; and you think
it stupid work, Emily, do you? You are a young lady of taste. I think
the same."

"He is quite sure of success," said Harriett Phillips, who thought the
question and remarks might have been addressed to her, as the best
informed person in the house.

"Miss Melville will be pleased at her cousin's going into the political
line," said he.

"Indeed, we are all pleased. I never saw any one so fitted to shine in
Parliament," said Harriett. "He has promised, when the election is
over, to visit papa; their politics will suit, I think."

"And how is Miss Melville?" asked Brandon.

"Quite well, she is always well; but we have been very much troubled
about servants of late. I believe really that all the good servants
have gone to Australia, for we cannot hear of a housemaid or nurse to
suit us, and it puts every one about. I know it annoys me, and Miss
Melville (who holds rather a singular co