ten hard to her, and that the will
was not a just one, she could not bear the idea that Mr. Herries
suggested of his probable place in the future state, while Jane felt
indignant.

They had both hoped for some help and comfort from Mrs. Dalzell; but
when her visit was so long delayed, their expectations fell
considerably. Jane had become so tired of the useless kind of
condolence that was offered, that she determined to ask for advice from
the next person who came, and that happened to be Mrs. Dalzell. She
spoke a little more freely and kindly to the girls than other people
had done; but still she was keeping serious difficulties at arm's
length, when Jane turned rather sharply round on her with the abrupt
question----

"What do you think we ought to do, Mrs. Dalzell?"

"Indeed, I cannot say, Miss Melville. This most unaccountable conduct
of Mr. Hogarth's has taken us all by surprise, so much that I can think
of nothing but overturning the will. I am sure when William told me of
the extraordinary disposition of the property, I felt--I cannot tell
you how I felt. Such a shocking thing to leave all to a son whom nobody
ever heard of before, and to leave his sister's children destitute. You
certainly have a claim on the heir, for a maintenance at least. He
should be made to refund a part of the spoil."

"He would if he could, but it is forbidden. There is no help in that
way," said Jane. "But employment, Mrs. Dalzell; can you suggest any
employment for us?"

Mrs. Dalzell hesitated. "Mrs. Chalmers is in need of a finishing
governess for Emma and Robina; but I am afraid neither of you two young
ladies would suit her, for we cannot get music-masters here, and one
must have a governess who has a good knowledge of music. If Mr. Maxwell
had not just engaged a tutor for his boys, you might have perhaps
undertaken that place, Miss Melville."

"I think I might," said Jane.

"Would it not be pleasanter, if we have to take situations, to go to a
distance," said Elsie. "I do not think I could I bear you or myself to
be near Cross Hall when everything is so changed."

"It would be more agreeable, I have no doubt, Miss Elsie; and I cannot
help thinking that in such a place as Edinburgh or Glasgow, where there
are masters and mistresses for everything, you could get on by having
classes, or engaging as teachers at some institution. In the country we
want governesses and schoolmistresses to know everything a girl ought
to learn