e
wards, did not seem so tempting as to revive Jane's last night's
enthusiasm.

"Surely," said she, "the payment is very small for the work and the
responsibility."

"There is so much competition for a thing of this kind," said Mr.
Rennie. "There are so many women in Scotland who have too little to
live on, or nothing at all, that they will gladly snatch at anything
that will give them food and lodging, and the smallest of salaries. I
know of a situation of 12 pounds a-year that received forty-five
applications from reduced gentlewomen. The payment is never in
proportion to the work."

"But the work has been badly done hitherto, I understand," said Jane.
"It is not having too little to live on that makes a woman fit for such
a situation as this. Why do not they raise the salary and insist on
higher qualifications?"

"I cannot tell why they do not, but so it is," said Mr. Rennie.

"Is there any chance of rising from second to first matron?" asked
Jane. "That is worth 90 pounds, you say."

"In the course of fifteen or twenty years, perhaps; but the duties are
very distinct at present, and require different kinds of talent."

"Yes," said Jane; "and great interest with the directors might get a
new person in, and fifteen or twenty years' services would have less
weight. I do not feel inclined to work twenty years for 30 pounds even
with a better chance of 90 pounds at last than is offered here. It is
at best a prison life, too; not the life I had hoped for, nor what I am
best fitted for. My cousin's place is filled up here, I understand."

"Every one below Mr. Ormistown has got a step, and we only want a
junior clerk. No doubt we will have plenty of applicants."

"Will you take me?" said Jane. "Do not shake your head, Mr. Rennie.
Cousin Francis, speak a word for me; I am quite fit for the situation."

"If you could do anything to further Miss Melville's views in any way
you would lay me under a deep and lasting obligation, Mr. Rennie," said
Francis. "I have most unconsciously done both of my cousins a great
injury, which I am not allowed to repair. My late father had as much
confidence in this young lady's talents and qualifications as he had in
mine. I know she is only too good for the situation she asks for."

Mr. Rennie was disposed to try to please Mr. Hogarth. He had always had
a high opinion of him, and had great confidence in his judgment and
integrity. He was to take the chair at a dinner given to the w