Dutton had never been thrown in contact with so pretty a creature, and, notwithstanding the apparent aberration of mind displayed in thus jeopardizing his prospects, laid his plans coolly and cleverly enough.  Bluebell still talked of her impending governess life, and he kept his own council, though firmly resolved never to lose sight of her again.

She was beginning to wonder that her advertisements had elicited no replies, and Mrs. Davidson had been especially unpleasant about it, when one day the wished-for letter arrived.

“Mrs. Giles Johnson, having seen ‘B.L.’s’ advertisement in the Liverpool Mercury, is requiring such a person to instruct and to take entire charge of the wardrobes of five little girls, one of whom, being nervous, she would be required to sleep with.  Mrs. G. J. trusts she is obliging, and would have no objection, when the lady’s-maid has a press of work, to assist her with it, or make herself generally useful in any other way.  ‘B.L.’s’ attainments being apparently limited, and Mrs. Giles Johnson having an abhorrence of music, she can only offer a salary of eighteen pounds a year.”

Bluebell alternated between tears and laughter on the perusal of this letter.

“Why, at the Rollestons’,” she cried, “I had thirty pounds a year, only Freddy to teach, and did what I liked!  But they were friends,”—­and a home-sick feeling came over her.

“If ye just turn up your nose at every situation, ye’ll never be placed,” said Mrs. Davidson.

“Oh, perhaps I shall get another letter to-morrow.  I would go back to Canada if I had money enough.”

Bluebell put on her hat.  Whichever way she went she was quite certain of meeting Mr. Dutton, to whom she wished to display this wonderful document.  It was all very well to laugh, but it certainly was most discouraging and vexatious.  Yet Mr. Dutton, when she saw him, gravely affirmed it to be “quite as good an offer as he had expected, and was only surprised at her getting any answers at all,”—­which well indeed he might be, considering that the advertisement never appeared in any paper, and that the liberal proposals of Mrs. Giles Johnson were an emanation from his own brain.

He proceeded to relate the most uncomfortable anecdotes of governess life in England, making it appear that they were treated like white slaves, and expected to know everything.

Bluebell, though only half believing it, began seriously to question whether her small attainments were saleable at all.  Her friend the captain would go to sea again shortly, and having prevailed on Mrs. Davidson to receive a small contribution towards her board, the ten pounds were dwindling away.