is a
very handsome offer. Though we're both sick of Adelaide, we can stop
here a bit longer--at least, till we can see our way clear to get out
of it."

"Do you think I don't care for my liberty? and I hate the Adelaide
side. It was all your doings coming across here at all, and a precious
mull you've made of it. I fancy they must be thinking of coming back to
Melbourne, from this notice to me to keep out of the way. And do you
think I don't want to see my own daughter? Did not I put her in the way
of all her good fortune? Did not I dress her the day she first saw
Phillips, and did not she look like a angel?"

"And he was spoon enough to marry her, which was more than either you
or me expected. As for the girl, she was glad enough to go away from
you; you never cared so much for her."

"Did I not, when I saw she was growing up so handsome and a credit to
me?"

"Yes, yes; we both wanted to make our own of her, and I think we did
not do amiss, considering," said Peck. "We've had bad luck in Adelaide,
but things may change--money goes farther here."

"Money never goes far with us," said Mrs. Peck, "and Melbourne is the
place where we can get on best. If I had Frank's money, which I must
and shall get out of him somehow, we could manage to rub along here,
but without it we never could. The black-hearted scoundrel, not to send
me a farthing--me who could----"

"You had better threaten him with what you can do in your next letter.
I always thought that style of working the oracle would pay best; but
perhaps the motherly affectionate dodge was the best to try first.
Threaten him in your next."

"I don't think I'll condescend to threaten him; I don't care to save
him from what he deserves for his shameful ingratitude to me. I could
make better terms with Cross Hall's nieces than I could do with Frank.
Surely they would give me more for my secret than he would do to keep
me quiet. They were left beggars, I know, and the estate is worth a
great deal to them."

"Hang it, Mrs. Peck, that is a glorious idea, but don't be too hurried
in your movements. You don't care about your own share in the business
being known?" said Peck.

"I care for nothing if I could only get my revenge on him, and if I
could only get as much out of the Melville girls as would allow me to
snap my fingers at Phillips. I would rather relish publishing my
connection with him. I would like to bring down Betsy a peg."

"There's where you always make