Her pet project was to induce educated women to quit the genteel starvation of governesships for some good trade thereby bringing higher intelligence into a class which needed, not the elevation of the work itself, which was comparatively easy and refined, but of the workers.
She had therefore invested sum after sum of her capital in setting up various small shops in the environs of London, in her own former line, and others--stationers, lace-shops, etc .-- trades which could be well carried on by women .-- Into the management of these she put as many young girls as she could find really fitted for it, or willing to learn, paying them regular salaries, large or small, according to their deserts.
"Fair work, fair pay; not one penny more or less; I never do it; it would not be honest.

I overlook each business myself, and it is carried on in my name.

Sometimes it brings me in a little profit; sometimes not.

Of course," she added, smiling.

"I would rather have profits than losses; still, I balance one against the other, and it leaves me generally a small interest for my money--two or three per cent., which is all I care about.