AustLit

Opening with the murder of a young girl on the Victorian goldfields, the tale return to Melbourne and Mabel Ireton's employment as companion to Mrs Banforth (Dora) whose marriage is mysteriously awry. The story continues in both these locations, connected through Mabel whose father and lover are at the diggings - with good character sketches of social activities there and in Melbourne. A resurrected husband, family honour and bushranging all contribute to the development of the tale, which concludes with a return to Ireland. (PB)