Elsie thought she was a good deal more stared at than was agreeable, and also that the shopmen in both establishments addressed her with a good deal of familiarity.  She had heard Miss Phillips complain of the great freedom and the want of politeness of Melbourne tradespeople and the inhabitants generally; but this was her first personal experience of anything of the kind, and she rightly attributed it to the company she was in.  She felt, now, that she had made a great mistake in going out with this Mrs. Mahoney, whose rather loud remarks and vulgar appearance seemed to attract general attention, and she could only wish fervently that, with or without her secret, she could get back safely to East Melbourne.  As they returned, Mrs. Peck proposed a detour by the Botanic Gardens, which Elsie had never seen.  Mrs. Phillips would not expect them home soon, for she had proposed to show Miss Melville all about Melbourne; and the gardens were well worth seeing.  On a week day they were quiet, and one could get a seat to have a little comfortable talk.  Much as Elsie wished for the talk, she would not on any account lengthen her walk for it, so she declined the proposal.

“Then,” said Mrs. Peck, “let us go out of the regular road we came by, and go round Fitzroy Square, and have a look round at all the churches and chapels that are built on the Eastern Hill.”

Fitzroy Square was not at that time enclosed or planted.  It was merely a vacant space, intersected by numerous footpaths in various directions, and covered where there was no beaten path with very dusty withered-looking grass.  Elsie had no objection to go out of the thoroughfare; but, instead of pointing out the churches or anything else, as soon as Mrs. Peck had got safe out of any third party’s hearing, she slackened her pace, and eagerly opened the subject which was nearest to her heart.

“I said, Miss Melville, that I could make your fortune if you’d only give me a handsome commission.  Are you willing to drive a bargain?” said Mrs. Peck.

“If I can see my way clear to the fortune, I should, of course, be glad to pay you for the information; but I must know what you have got to say before I can guess what it is worth,” said Elsie.

“And I must know what you are willing to give, before I can tell what I know,” said Mrs. Peck.

“But I have really got nothing to offer,” said Elsie; “you know how poor I am.”

“But suppose you and your sister was to get Cross Hall through means of me, what would you give me for that?” asked Mrs. Peck.

Elsie felt sure that this woman could not give the property to Jane and herself, for it had been left to Francis distinctly by will, by name and description; but yet she wanted very much to find out if he was really their cousin or not, so she said——­

“I must consult with my sister on this matter, for it concerns her as much as myself, and also with Mr. Phillips, who has been to both of us the kindest and best of friends, before I could make you any definite offer.”