f I had
not such a horrid lot of tasks, perhaps I might like some of them."

"But, my dear, you are so very ignorant, you have everything to learn
now that you have come to England," said her mamma.

"But I hope not everything at once," said Jane.

"Not quite," said Mr. Phillips; "but perhaps too much so. You will see
the list of the girls' studies to-morrow, and judge for yourself."

Mrs. Phillips was favourably impressed with Jane. She was well born and
well educated, but she was plain looking. She had heard of her sudden
and sad reverse of fortune, and felt disposed to take her up and
patronise her. She had suffered from the want of a domestic manager and
house counsellor; even the very good temper and great forbearance of
her husband had given way at the small amount of comfort that could be
obtained with such a lavish expenditure of money as his had been since
they came to London; and he had spoken more sharply to her about her
mismanagement than about anything else, so she felt that now he had a
housekeeper of his own choosing, she should escape from all
responsibility. Her manner to Jane was exceedingly kind, and Jane's
hopes rose at her reception.

Mrs. Phillips always went to bed early, unless she was kept up by
amusement and gaiety; her style of beauty was of the kind that suits
best with plenty of sleep and few cares--so at ten o'clock she said she
could sit up no longer, and left Mr. Phillips to explain all the duties
expected of Miss Melville, so that she need not be disturbed by any
inquiries in the morning.

Mr. Phillips did so with a clearness and precision that showed he had
been often obliged to see to the disbursement of the money as well as
the earning if it. He gave Jane the keys and the house-books, showed
her what he thought was the sum he could spend on family expenses, and
hoped that she would make it suffice.

"I wish you to be one of the family, Miss Melville; to visit and go to
public places with Mrs. Phillips. I think we may dispense with all the
masters for my little girls, except for music, and I hope that you will
succeed in making them like both you and their lessons. I also hope, in
a short time, to give you still more difficult and delicate work to do,
and if you can be successful there, I will be most grateful to you.
Mrs. Phillips has had a very imperfect education; she was born in the
colonies, and was married when a mere child, and since her marriage she
has had few opportu