up man's work
without succeeding in it. I must try to show that I will be no
exception. He was not unkind to take us on our mother's death from a
careless and unprincipled father, to bring us into a quiet and happy
home, to educate us to the best of his judgment, to be always kind,
always reasonable. Ah, no, my dear uncle, though this seems very hard,
it was not meant for unkindness!"

"It is cruel, cruel," said Alice. "He must have been mad. What will
become of us? What will become of us?"

At this burst of despair from Alice, Jane's courage gave way, and the
heavy tears rolled down her cheeks. "Elsie, darling, at the worst we
can only die, and we are not afraid of death. But no, we shall live to
conquer all this yet."

"You cannot as yet lay any plan," said Mr. Macfarlane. "Mr.
Ormistown--Mr. Hogarth, I should say--is in no hurry to take
possession. You can have a month to look about you, and there is no
saying what may turn up in a month."

"Certainly," said the new cousin; "I am sure I should be most happy to
give the young ladies accommodation in this large house for as long as
they please, if that is not forbidden by the will."

"A permanent residence is clearly forbidden; for no assistance, beyond
the small money payment specified, Can be offered or accepted; but I
think a month to remain and to collect all their wardrobe and personal
property may be permitted."

"I ought to return to the bank, and work till they find a substitute,
and will leave my cousins the undisturbed possession of Cross Hall for
a month. In the meantime, I feel as if my presence must be a painful
intrusion. I must leave you."

"Perhaps," said Jane, "though you cannot give us money, you may be able
to give us advice. You are going to Edinburgh; you may see or hear of
something we could do."

"I should be most happy to do so. What line of life should you like to
enter on?"

"Anything we could make a living by."

"Then I suppose a governess's situation?"

"I might teach boys, but I have not learned what would qualify me to
instruct girls. But I do thoroughly understand bookkeeping, write a
good hand, have gone through Euclid, and know as much of the classics
as nine out of ten young men in my rank of life. But my uncle cared
very little for the classics. I know a good deal of chemistry and
mineralogy, but uncle was most pleased with my bookkeeping. How did you
get on when you began to work for yourself?"

"I entered the bank