“But how did you like the play?”

“I cannot say I did.  To see folk dressed up and painted, rampaging about and talking havers, just making fools of themselves.  A wee insignificant-looking body setting up to be a king! and the sogers—­you should have seen the sogers, as if they could ever fight.”

“It is likely there was nothing very first-rate on the Melbourne boards at that time, but our play to-night was perfectly well got up,” said Elsie, “and the acting was admirable.”

“I’m no clear that at its best the theatre is a fit place for Christian men and women to frequent,” said Peggy.

“You prefer the stern realities of life to its most brilliant illusions,” said Jane.

“Speaking of the realities of life, Mr. Brandon says he knows of something likely to suit you, Miss Jane,” said Peggy.

“Indeed!” said Jane, with an incredulous smile.

“At least, he says you must resolve on nothing till you hear from him.  He is going to write to London to Mr. Phillips.”

“Your Mr. Phillips—­is he in London?”

“Yes; and Mr. Brandon says they are sorely in need of somebody to keep the house—­for I fancy everything is at rack and manger if Mrs. Phillips has the management—­and to make Emily and Harriett mind their books, for they are such spoiled bairns.  I was showing Mr. Brandon what you could do with Tam and Nancy and the others, and he says you are exactly the person that they need; and I can see that it is wondrous feasible.”

“What salary should I ask?” said Jane; “or should I leave it to Mr. Phillips?”

“You had better leave it to him; he is not such a skinflint as our benevolent associations.  I always found both him and Mr. Brandon open-handed and willing to pay well for all that was done for them.  To me, Mr. Phillips was most extraordinary liberal.”

“Then you think it likely I will get this situation at a respectable salary?”

“I think you are almost sure of it.”

“What good news for Francis, to-morrow!” said Jane.

Volume II.

Chapter I.

How Francis Received The Good News

When Francis, after a night’s rest disturbed by thoughts and calculations as to ways and means, had arrived at the definite resolution to ask Jane Melville to marry him, he recalled a thousand signs of her affectionate regard for him—­of her understanding his character as no one ever cared to understand it before—­of her sympathy with all his past life and his present position, which left him no doubt that she would return his love and accept of him.  The home and the welcome he was prepared to offer to Elsie would plead with her own heart in his favour.  All her theoretical objections as to cousins marrying (which after all is a very doubtful point, and has much to be said on both sides); all her ambition for himself would melt away before the