Her Faithful Knight — page 93: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

CHAPTER IX. A NEW CAREER. Shortly before the doors of the British Museum were opened to the students and readers, among whom Aylmer Read took his place to watch eagerly for Miss Knight’s appearance, that young lady was already on her way to Smithfield on foot, economy being now, more than ever, a necessity with her. All thought, save of her sister’s welfare, she resolutely banished from her mind. She was ready to undertake any work, however exhausting, to earn money for Phyllis’ needs; but, alas! the manager of the firm who had so long employed her and other ladies on hand-paint- ing could only reiterate his former statement that “just at present, at any rate, no more work could be given out.” “I don’t mind doing it for much less pay,” suggested Dorothy timidly, with tears in her eyes. “Very sorry, but we have a great deal more hand- painted stuff on our hands than we know how to dispose of. The demand for it has almost ceased. Your designs were the best we had. You will easily get other work to do. We will give you any reference in our power.” Sick at heart, Dorothy left the warehouse and repaired to an address furnished her of another firm. Here the same ill success awaited her. It was too late in the sea- son, she was told, to take on new hands. If she called in the autumn something might perhaps be done. After a third venture, which brought her a recommendation to “try painting in oils instead of water-colors,’ Dorothy GEomicbooks (EC)