as she had it in her power, they would not have had a roof over their heads by this time.  What with the licence that had just been paid, and the rent that must be paid before the end of the month, they would be cleared out, without advancing money to strangers that were in their debt already.  As Mrs. Frankland was really the bread-winner, and at their present low water the purse-keeper also, Mrs. Peck saw it was of no use to press her offers on her husband in the face of such formidable opposition.

On the following day she started early in the mail conveyance for Adelaide, leaving Peck behind as a pledge for the settlement of the bill, and determined to raise ten or twelve pounds somehow.

With Mr. Talbot’s letter in her hand she presented herself to a bill-discounter in Adelaide.  He understood her position at once; that she was somehow connected with, but very obnoxious to a wealthy client of Mr. Talbot’s, for Mr. Phillips’s name was not mentioned in the letter; and also that, like most people of her class and habits, she had spent her money before she got it.  Of course she said nothing of wanting to go to Melbourne, in which case, by the body of the letter, it would be almost certain that her annuity would cease, but the discounter wanted some security against such a contingency, and asked her if she meant to stay in South Australia, according to agreement.  Mrs. Peck was willing to say anything, to swear anything, and to sign anything, for his satisfaction on this point, but her very fluency made him suspicious.

“I cannot advance this money,” said he, “even on the deposit of your order to arrest what is coming to you, unless I have some collateral security, or some other name, in case of your going to Victoria.”

Mrs. Peck could get no one to corroborate her statements but Peck, who could be of no service to her.  She felt rather in a fix.

“What should take me to Melbourne?” said she, in accents of great surprise.  “It is so much against my interest to go there, that I would never be such a fool as to quarrel with my bread and butter; but it so happens I am much in need of money just at the present.  I am expecting money from Scotland every mail.  Indeed, it was trusting to that as put me so back this quarter.  I never doubted that I’d get a handsome sum from Scotland; I’ve got the rights to it, and if it don’t come by next mail, I will prosecute.  You are sure to get your money well paid, with good interest, if you do run just a little risk.”

“That may be all very well,” said the bill discounter; “but, in the meantime, can you not get any one to back you in this?  I like good interest, but I cannot lend without better security.”

“There’s the best of security.  Mr. Talbot’s next payment is due in two months, and I make it over to you; and if that does not satisfy you, I would give you something more next pay day, as much as would cover your risk and your trouble, and your interest, handsome enough.”