She looked again more careful than before at Mrs. Peck.  She was of the age to be Francis’s mother, but otherwise she was quite at fault; there was not any likeness there either.  A conformation of the little finger was rather peculiar, but it was an exaggeration of a little defect on Mrs. Phillips’s otherwise very handsome hand, but not of Francis Hogarth’s.

“If Francis has no right to the property, and we have, of course we should like to have our rights,” said Elsie.

“It was a Scotch marriage, you know,” said Mrs. Peck.

“Yes, but a binding one; he is received everywhere as my uncle’s lawful son.”

“Yes, as his lawful son, no doubt.  Do you know if he has brought forward his mother at all?” said Mrs. Peck.

“No; I suppose she is dead, or we should certainly have heard of her.”

“Dead, you suppose!” said Mrs. Peck, indignantly; “that is the easy way of getting quit of relations that has got claims on you—­just Suppose them dead?”

“I do not know anything of the matter, except that she has not been heard of.  If she were alive and heard of his inheriting this property, she would be sure to write claiming him, and probably asking for assistance, which I have no doubt she would at once receive, for he has ample means, and has the character of being both just and liberal.”

“And you think she would apply; and you have no doubt that she ought to have got it?  Any one would have thought that,” said Mrs. Peck, between her set teeth.

“Yes, certainly,” said Elsie; “but perhaps she did not go the right way to work?”

“She did,” said Mrs. Peck, indignantly.  “I knowed her well, and heard all about it.”

This was to throw Elsie off her guard, for she did not wish to be identified at once; but it had not the effect desired, for Elsie felt convinced that this was the person who claimed to be Francis’s mother.

Mrs. Phillips came in at this interesting poise in the conversation, and began to give Elsie directions as to some alterations in a dress.

“There’s some buttons and trimmings to get to make it up with.  Alice, you had better go to town and get them for me.  You need a walk, at any rate; I do not think you’ve had your walk at all regularly of late,” said Mrs. Phillips.

“Indeed,” said Mrs. Peck, “she has had no walk since here I’ve been, whatever she might have had before.  It’s trying work sitting still all day; I feel it myself, and all the more that I’m not used to it.  If you’d be so good as excuse me for a hour or two; I’d take it as a great kindness if you’d let me go with Alice for a walk to do her bit of shopping, and to show her round Melbourne a bit.  If I don’t know Melbourne well, I ought to.  I don’t think I ever saw so good a hand as Alice has.  I think I could make her fortune, if she’d only give me a little commission.”

“Oh, I don’t think Alice is inclined to leave me,” said Mrs. Phillips; “and, indeed, I am very well satisfied with her.”