ardonable pride, that she is one of the great leaders in this social
revolution, which, we trust, will place woman upon the throne from which
man has hitherto thrust her.

"This being so, Lady Wolfer's time is, as you will readily understand,
much absorbed; so completely, indeed, that she is unable to pay any
attention to those smaller and meaner; household cares to which women
less highly gifted very properly devote so much of their time. Having no
daughter of our own, it occurred to us that it might, perhaps, be a
beneficial arrangement for your stepdaughter, Miss Lorton, if she would
come to us and render Lady Wolfer such assistance as is afforded by the
ordinary housekeeper. You will say: Why not engage a duly qualified
person for the post? I reply: We have done so, and do not find the
ordinary person, though apparently duly qualified, satisfactory. Lady
Wolfer is of an extremely sensitive and delicate organization, and it is
absolutely necessary that the person with whom she would be brought in
daily contact should be young and docile.

"I have referred to the photograph of Miss Lorton which you were good
enough to send me some months ago, and you will be pleased to hear that
Lady Wolfer approves of the young lady's personal appearance. I take it
for granted--you, her guardian, being a Wolfer--that she has been
properly trained; and if she should be willing to come to us on what is
termed a month's trial, we shall be very pleased to receive her. She may
come at any moment, and without any notice beyond a mere telegram. I
will not speak of the advantages accruing from such a position as that
which she would hold, for I am quite sure you will be duly sensible of
them, and will point them out to her.

"I trust that you are in good health, and with best wishes for your
prosperity and happiness,

"I remain, dear Sophia, yours very truly,

"WOLFER.

"P. S.--I omitted to say that I should be pleased to pay Miss Lorton an
honorarium of fifty guineas per annum."

At another time Nell would have found it difficult to refrain from
laughing at the stilted phraseology of the letter, at the pomposity
with which the proposal was made, and the meanness which strove to hide
itself in a postscript; but a Punch and Judy show would have seemed a
funereal performance at that moment, and she stared as blankly at the
letter when she had finished it as if she had been re