and so
short that it did not cover the flounce of her dress, and this dress,
and her hat with it, were Mother's taste, and consequently, Laura felt
sure, nobody else's. But her new companions saw that she wore these
clothes with an elegance that made up for their shortcomings; and she
heard them whisper: "Isn't she pretty? What black eyes! What lovely
curls!" But she was not proud, and by her ladylike manners soon made
them feel at home with her, even though they stood agape at her
cleverness: none of THEM could claim to have absorbed the knowledge of
a whole house. With one of her admirers she had soon formed a
friendship that was the wonder of all who saw it: in deep respect the
others drew back, forming a kind of allee, down which, with linked
arms, the two friends sauntered, blind to everything but
themselves.--And having embarked thus upon her sea of dreams, Laura set
sail and was speedily borne away.

"Next station you'll be there, little girl."

She sprang up and looked about her, with vacant eyes. This had been the
last stoppage, and the train was passing through the flats. In less
than two minutes she had collected her belongings, tidied her hair and
put on her gloves.

Some time afterwards they steamed in alongside a gravelled platform,
among the stones of which a few grass-blades grew. This was Melbourne.
At the nearer end of the platform stood two ladies, one stout and
elderly in bonnet and mantle, with glasses mounted on a black stick,
and shortsighted, peering eyes; the other stout and comely, too, but
young, with a fat, laughing face and rosy cheeks. Laura descried them a
long way off; and, as the carriage swept past them, they also saw her,
eager and prominent at her window. Both stared at her, and the younger
lady said something, and laughed. Laura instantly connected the remark,
and the amusement it caused the speaker, with the showy red lining of
her hat, at which she believed their eyes had been directed. She also
realised, when it was too late, that her greeting had been childish,
unnecessarily effusive; for the ladies had responded only by nods. Here
were two thrusts to parry at once, and Laura's cheeks tingled. But she
did not cease to smile, and she was still wearing this weak little
smile, which did its best to seem easy and unconcerned, when she
alighted from the train.

IV.

The elderly lady was Laura's godmother; she lived at Prahran, and it
was at her house that Laura would so