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.”

“Is there nothing but teaching that we can do?” said Jane.

“Well, you know there is nothing that a gentlewoman can turn to in such circumstances as yours but teaching, and I would be very glad indeed to see you both in nice comfortable situations.  By-the-by, Miss Elsie, I copied into my album the very sweet verses you sent me, and have brought them back to you.  Are they really your own?  William says he thinks they are.”

“Yes,” said Elsie, “they are original.”

“Well, I could not have thought it; they are extremely pretty.”

“By-the-by,” said Jane, “do you not know Miss Thomson, Mrs. Dalzell?  My uncle always spoke of her with respect and admiration, as an instance of the skill and success with which a woman can conduct masculine avocations.  A gentlewoman-farmer, and a thriving one.  I wish we had known her.”