u I
may please anybody." And Elsie looked so animated, so joyous, and so
spiritual, that Jane's hopes rose. She, indeed, was no judge of poetry,
but anything that could give courage and hope to her sister's mind must
be a good thing.

"You must persevere, my dear. It will do yourself good, if no other
good comes of it," said she.

"But other good is sure to come of it, Jane. Do not such things get
printed, and of course the writer is paid for them? I can write so
fast; and now I know some of the real trials of life, I can speak from
experience."

"And you are the type of the bulk of the poetry-reading public," said
Jane thoughtfully. "The lady readers, I mean; generous, impulsive, and
romantic; you ought to know what will suit the public taste. I wish you
all success. But I have failed in my object, and have been advised to
go to Edinburgh. You saw I had a letter this morning from Mr. Hogarth,
with an invitation for both of us to come and live at his house, and
look about us. You would not like to go?"

"No, Jane, I would far rather stay here and write; but it would be
uncomfortable for you to go by yourself. I will go, if you very much
wish it."

"No, my dear, if you think this writing is to be your vocation, it is
not necessary for you to look for a situation, and I do not mind going
by myself, only I feared you would be unhappy alone."

"I will be quite happy. I must have something better than this done
while you are away."

"I must write to my cousin, accepting the invitation, and telling him
when to expect me. The sooner I can go the better."

Chapter III.

Closed Doors

Francis Hogarth was waiting for Jane at the railway station, and as
they walked together to his house in the outskirts of the town, she
eagerly asked him about the situation he had heard of that he feared
would not suit.

Her cousin hesitated a little, for it seemed so far below her deserts
and her capabilities; but Mr. Rennie, the manager of the bank in which
he had so long been employed, had told him that the ---- Institution,
the principal asylum for the insane in Scotland, and an admirably
managed establishment, wanted a second matron; and that from the
accounts he had heard of Miss Melville's practical talents, it was
probable that she would be the very person to fill the situation well.
Jane eagerly asked after the duties and the salary, but Francis could
not give her all the particulars she desired. Mr. Rennie was to