"Every one below Mr. Ormistown has got a step, and we only want
a junior clerk. No doubt we will have plenty of applicants."

"Will you take me?" said Jane. "Do not shake your head, Mr. Rennie.
Cousin Francis, speak a word for me; I am quite fit for the situation."

"If you could do anything to further Miss Melville's views in any way
you would lay me under a deep and lasting obligation, Mr. Rennie," said
Francis. "I have most unconsciously done both of my cousins a great
injury, which I am not allowed to repair. My late father had as much
confidence in this young lady's talents and qualifications as he had in
mine. I know she is only too good for the situation she asks for."

Mr. Rennie was disposed to try to please Mr. Hogarth. He had always had
a high opinion of him, and had great confidence in his judgment and
integrity. He was to take the chair at a dinner given to the whole bank
staff by this man who had advanced all his subordinates one step, and
left them pleased and hopeful; and he could make the usual
complimentary speeches with more sincerity than is common at public
dinners. He had also introduced the new laird of Cross Hall to his wife
and family on equal terms, and they had been very much pleased with
him. But when Miss Melville again gravely asked for the vacant
clerkship, his habitual courtesy could scarcely prevent him from
laughing outright.

"It would never do, my dear madam," said he; "young ladies have quite a
different sphere from that of ledgers and pass-books."

"But I would do the work," said Jane, opening a ponderous volume that
lay on the manager's table, and running up a column of figures with a