“I think that all will go well enough in respect to money; for _that_ we have the means of extorting,” said Perdita. “But I cannot see how, by such a course, we shall do otherwise than disgust the nephew, and make an enemy of him.” “Ah! short-sighted girl” ejaculated her mother. “We must not commence with extortion! I know that Lady Georgiana Hatfield was very rich when I was a resident in London years ago; and it is not probable that she has become poor since. Then again, this Hatfield or Rainford must be on intimate terms with the Earl of Ellingham, since he and his family are residing at that nobleman’s mansion. All this denotes that the young man can command ample funds at will;--and the young man, then, must be ensnared by your wiles. But if you surrender yourself to him immediately----” “Trust me for knowing how to play my cards well!” interrupted Perdita, impatiently. “But on our arrival in London to-night, where are we to find a dwelling-place?--how are we to clothe ourselves decently to-morrow?--how, in a word, are we to live until all these grand schemes begin to work?” “You shall see, Perdita,” answered her mother. “During my long sojourn in Australia, one person in England wrote to me frequently--one person sent me sums of money occasionally. Otherwise, Perdita, after I obtained my ticket of leave, we should have starved: for the labour of my hands, severely as I toiled, produced not sufficient to maintain us both. This one person lives in London: I know his address;--and to his door must we first repair before we can even procure the wherewith to obtain a bed!” “Is it the friend who, as you told me, interested himself to procure your pardon?” demanded Perdita. “The friend!--the relation you mean,” said her mother, hastily. “Yes--he is my relation--the only one I possess in the world save yourself, if a daughter can be called by that name.” The conversation, which may have served to throw additional light upon the depraved character of these two women, was interrupted by the necessity of stepping to the side of the road to permit a cart, which was on the point of overtaking them, to pass. The vehicle was driven along at a rapid pace by a sturdy, good-natured butcher; and as it was whisking by the two females, the pure moon-light falling fully on the handsome countenance of Perdita, enabled the man to catch a glimpse of the surpassing beauty of that face. Instantly pulling up, he said, “Holloa! my good women, you are out late--or rather early--for ’tis two o’clock in the morning.” “We are very tired, and are anxious to reach London as soon as possible,” replied Perdita’s mother. “I am going as one may say right through London,” observed the butcher: “in fact, to Oxford Street--and if you like to have a ride, both of you, I’ll put you down at the nearest point to where your business leads you.”