The last week of the Misses Melville's stay at Cross Hall had begun
before Jane heard of the result of her application for the matronship
of the ----- Institution. Mr. Rennie then wrote to her that the
directors had appointed a widow, very highly recommended, and
apparently very well qualified. Miss Melville's letter had received
careful attention, and had favourably impressed all the directors; but
her youth and her being unmarried were great objections to her, while
the kind of housekeeping she had conducted at her uncle's was not
likely to be the best school for the management of an establishment of
this kind. Mr. Rennie was very sorry for Miss Melville's
disappointment, but he could not suggest any other situation likely to
suit her.

Elsie jumped for joy when she heard of Jane's rejection, and kissed her
sister over and over again. "We shall not be parted, darling; you will
not go to slave among strangers and to be terrified by mad people. I
cannot--really, I cannot do without you--you are my muse and my
critic, as well as my best friend and adviser."

Jane was not quite so much exhilarated by her failure as her sister;
but Elsie's extravagant delight comforted her not a little. While they
were talking over this matter, Jane was called away to receive the
linen from the laundress for the last time, and to bid her good-bye.
Peggy Walker was somewhat of an authority in the district--a travelled
woman, who had been in Australia and back again, and was now living
with a family of orphan nephews and nieces, and an old man, their
grandfather. Public rumour pronounced her a niggardly woman,
for though she had property she worked as hard as if she had nothing,