be my work, and with God's help I will do it well."

Jane began her next day's work by calling on her Edinburgh
acquaintances, and then went to the registry offices; but Monday's
inquiries were no more successful than Saturday's; so she dropped her
letter in the post, and felt as many people, especially women, do when
an important missive has left them for ever to go to the hands to which
it is addressed. It seems so irrevocable, they doubt the wisdom of the
step and fear the consequences.

When Jane reached home and told her sister of the application she had
sent in, Elsie was horrified at the prospect, and shook her sister's
courage still more by the pictures she conjured up of Jane's life at
such a place, and of her own without the one dearest to her heart; but
after she had said all she could in that way, it occurred to her that
if her poems succeeded, as she had no doubt they would, Jane's slavery
need but be shortlived. Her work had made great progress during the
short time of her sister's absence, and she continued to apply
to it with indefatigable industry. Scarcely would the ardent girl allow
herself to think of anything but what to write;--the tension was too
severe, but Elsie would take nothing in moderation.




Chapter V.



A Humble Friend