As it happened, he had heard from an old friend of his (a certain Sir Jervis Redwood), who was in search of a secretary.

Being in favor of letting the women compete for employment with the men, Sir Jervis was willing to try, what he calls, 'a female.' Isn't that a horrid way of speaking of us?
and Miss Ladd says it's ungrammatical, besides.

Papa had written back to say he knew of no lady whom he could recommend.

When he got my letter speaking of Emily, he kindly wrote again.

In the interval, Sir Jervis had received two applications for the vacant place.