anticipated the apologies that Rachel was ashamed even to make to
him.

Enough was collected to justify a beginning on a small scale. A
house was to be taken where Mr. Mauleverer and a matron would receive
the first pupils, teach them wood engraving, and prepare the earlier
numbers of the magazine. When a little more progress had been made,
the purchase of a printing-press might be afforded, and it might be
struck off by the girls themselves, but in the meantime they must be
dependent on the regular printer. On this account Mr. Mauleverer
thought it best to open the establishment, not at Avonmouth, but at
St. Herbert's, where he had acquaintance that would facilitate the
undertaking.

Rachel was much disappointed. To be in and out constantly, daily
teaching and watching the girls, and encouraging them by learning the
employment herself, had been an essential portion of her vision. She
had even in one of her most generous moods proposed to share the
delight with the Williamses, and asked Ermine if she would not, if
all things suited, become the resident matron. However, Mr.
Mauleverer said that there was an individual of humbler rank, the
widow of a National Schoolmaster, so anxious to devote herself to the
work, that he had promised she should share it whenever he was in a
condition to set the asylum on foot; and he assured Rachel that she
would find this person perfectly amenable to all her views, and ready
to work under her. He brought letters in high praise of the late
school master, and recommendations of his widow from the clergyman of
the parish where they had lived; and place and name being both in the
"Clergy List," even Ermine and Alison began to feel ashamed of their
incredulity, whilst as to Grace, she had surrendered herself