"It is not fair that the commonages should be enclosed to enlarge great
estates; the waste lands should belong to the nation, and be given to
the class that needs them most, and that could, perhaps, make most of
them," said Jane. "You are bringing my uncle's theories into practice.
If it were not for Elsie I should have nothing to regret in the
settlement that my uncle made; and, perhaps, there is something
brighter in store for her."

"Has she none of the alleviations that you are so good as to make the
very most of?" asked Francis.

"She has more pleasure naturally in books and in nature than I have,
but at the present time she appears to have to have lost her relish for
both. She has felt that her estimate of her powers has been too great,
and now it is far too humble. For myself, I think just as highly of my
own abilities and acquirements as ever I did. I am sorry that your
minister has left his church, for I hoped to become acquainted with
him; and he looked so cheerful that I thought he might do Elsie good.
This new clergyman does not strike me as being so genial or kindly,
though I certainly like his sermons and his devotional services very
much. It is certainly not the least of the blessings of my adversity
that I have learned to place myself in God's hands, and to feel that he
will do all things well for me."

"Can you not place your sister in the same care?" asked Francis.

"It is easier to trust God for yourself than to trust Him for those
whom we love," said Jane; "but I try hard for that amount of faith.
Elsie is so weary of her life sometimes, it is difficult to give her
courage. This is grave conversation for a dancing party; but you do not
see the incongruity. If we cannot carry our religion into our
amusements, and into our business, it will not be of much use to us."

The sound of a well-known voice arrested Jane's attention: it was that
of William Dalzell, who was shaking hands with Mr., Mrs., and Miss
Rennie very cordially, and then, in an embarrassed manner, doing the
same with Elsie.

"How did our friends get acquainted with Mr. Dalzell?" said Jane.

"When they were visiting me at Cross Hall, we had a gathering of the
neighbouring families, and Mrs. Rennie did the honours for me. Mr.
Dalzell, with his mother, and two young lady cousins, were of the
party. I thought the county people would have held themselves aloof
from the more plebeian society of an Edinburgh banker, but he at least
has