  We investigate the relationship between emission-line strength and continuum
luminosity in the best-studied nearby Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC5548. Our analysis of
13 years of ground-based optical monitoring data reveals significant
year-to-year variations in the observed H-beta emission-line response in this
source. More specifically, we confirm the result of Gilbert and Peterson (2003)
of a non-linear relationship between the continuum and H-beta emission-line
fluxes. Furthermore, we show that the slope of this relation is not constant,
but rather decreases as the continuum flux increases. Both effects are
consistent with photoionisation model predictions of a luminosity-dependent
response in this line.
