n the world as he had quitted. His place at the Bank of
Scotland was filled up, and the quixotic step he thought of taking was
not likely to recommend him to business people. And he must prepare not
only for providing for a wife and family, but for Elsie, too; and until
this day Elsie had shrunk from him, and he had rather despised her; but
during their walk he saw the affectionate and sincere nature of Jane's
sister. He thought that he could not only offer her a home, but that he
had some prospect of making it a happy one, which is by far the most
important thing in such matters, and he gradually brought himself to
believe that it was right he should make the sacrifice. Other
opportunities of usefulness might open themselves in some other sphere;
he would give up Cross Hall to the benevolent societies if Jane would
only consent to be his wife. The cousinship he thought no objection;
they were both very healthy in body and in mind, and as unlike each
other in temperament and constitution as if they were not related.
Neither Jane nor Elsie was likely to keep her health at a sedentary
employment; it was the daily long walk that had kept them so well as
they were. It was not right to undervalue private happiness, after all,
for any public object whatever. Here was the best and dearest woman in
the world suffering daily, both in herself and through her sister, and
he could make her happy; he knew that he could do that. If she refused,
however, it would interfere with the warm friendship that he knew to be
her greatest comfort and his own most precious possession; but she
could not, she would not refuse him. He saw the kind look of her eyes;
and felt convinced that though Jane believed it was only friendship,
the knowledge that she was all the world to him would change it into
love. And then to begin life afresh; no longer solitary; no longer
unloved; could he not conquer difficulties even greater than he had
ever to contend with? He did not pay proper attention at the theatre
that night. Jane and her sister were delighted with the performance,
and forgot their daily life in the mimic world before them; but he was
building such castles in the air all the time that he was not able to
criticise the play or the acting, but left that to Elsie, who certainly
did it very well.

Chapter XIV.

Good News For Francis

When the children went out, and the young ladies had gone with their
cousin, Mr. Brandon took the opportuni