"By a system that makes forty-five educated women eager to give
their life's work for 12 pounds a-year, and fifty applying for the
magnificent salary of 30 pounds for a most exhausting and responsible
situation. These are not all exceptional women, Mr. Rennie, but many of
the average women whose happiness you are so careful of. You know there
are enormous numbers of single women and widows in this country who
must be supported, either by their own earnings or by those of the
other sex, for they MUST live, you know."

Mr. Rennie smiled at Jane's earnestness.

"You smile, 'ON NE VOIT PAS LA NECESSITE'," said Jane. "I dare say it
would really be better for us to die."

"I am sure nothing was further from my lips than either the language or
the sentiment. I think your case especially hard--ESPECIALLY hard."

"I thought it was, till I heard of these numerous applications; and the
sad thing to me is, that it is NOT especially hard. Some innovation
must be made: have you and your directors not the courage to
begin? I am willing to endure all the ridicule that may be cast on
myself."

"There are other departments of business where your unquestionable
abilities and skill might be employed and well paid for; but here, I
must repeat, it is impossible--impossible--perfectly impossible. Mr.
Hogarth is going to favour us with his company this evening, and Mrs.
Rennie and my daughter Eliza would be most happy to see you. I would
like to introduce my daughter to a young lady who knows business so