To begin with, she took subordinate work in the school where she had been a pupil; later, she obtained the engagement at Dr.Tootle's.
An education of this kind, working upon Maud Enderby's natural temperament, resulted in an abnormal character, the chief trait of which was remarkable as being in contradiction to the spirit of her time.

She was oppressed with the consciousness of sin.

Every most natural impulse of her own heart she regarded as a temptation to be resisted with all her strength.

Her ideal was the same as Miss Bygrave's, but she could not pursue it with the latter's assured calm; at every moment the voice of her youth spoke within her, and became to her the voice of the enemy.

Her faith was scarcely capable of formulation in creeds; her sins were not of omission or commission in the literal sense; it was an attitude of soul which she sought to attain, though ever falling away.