“I think I should prefer driving,” said Harriett; “but I must first consult Mrs. Phillips.  I do not suppose that she can enlighten me much, but as Stanley’s wife I owe her that courtesy.”  So Harriett, with a condescending smile, took leave of her admirer.

Mrs. Phillips was in an exceedingly bad humour, but she made no objection to Harriett’s going away.  She did not quite believe in the zeal for the children’s music or for her comfort, which Miss Phillips professed, but she was tired of having the name of her society without the reality of it.  As for the impropriety of her sister-in-law’s travelling all that distance with a single gentleman, either riding or driving, Mrs. Phillips had never decided any question of the kind for herself or others since she had been married.  She had always acted as her husband thought proper, that is to say, she might often have made mistakes or done wrong if he had not prevented her, and the proposition did not strike her as at all objectionable.  Elsie wondered if there was an engagement between her and Dr. Grant, when a young lady of such strict principles proposed so singular an expedition.  Harriett was not at all quick at reading countenances, and was particularly dull in the interpretation of Elsie’s; but as some idea of the kind had dimly occurred to herself, she gave it voice and explained her views on the subject, in Elsie’s hearing, to Mrs. Phillips.

“Of course I should never think of such an adventurous journey in England, but here it seems the fashion to do just as is most convenient to ourselves; and for your sake and that of the children, I think it is better that I should go first.  Dr. Grant being a professional man, and such an old friend of my brother’s, will be an excellent escort, and I am really desirous of seeing a little of the roughness of colonial life.  We will stay all night at Mr. Ballantyne’s, and reach Wiriwilta in good time the second day.  I will see to have everything comfortable for you, Lily, my dear, before you come up.  I wish you could accompany me.  Dr. Grant says you could go up now, if you were disposed.”

“I am not going to Wiriwilta till Stanley comes himself to fetch me, for I am so timid with any one else driving on these dreadful roads; and as for what Dr. Grant says about my being fit for the journey, he is not my medical man this time, so I won’t go by his advice.  Besides, he don’t understand my constitution as Dr. M——­ does,” said Mrs. Phillips.

“I feel very sorry to leave you, Lily,” said Harriett.

“Oh, I dare say I’ll get on very well, even without you.  Alice and nurse will do for me until Stanley comes.  Tell him how I weary to see him the very first thing you say when you see him.  Whenever he’s done with going over the stations, beg him to come down.  Alice has written for me to tell him to make haste.  I am not strong enough yet to sit up to write.”

The idea that Harriett might hasten her husband’s return to her, helped to reconcile Mrs. Phillips to the very cavalier treatment she received from that young lady.