had carefully made these selections a rather
feeble bell was heard to tinkle in the mansion, and they went
downstairs to lunch.

"I hope you are comfortably unpacked now, young ladies?" inquired Mrs.
Flint.

"And I trust you have recovered from the fatigues of your long
journey?" questioned Mrs. Dredge. "It is a weary way from
Devonshire--a long and weary way."

"You speak of it as though it were a kind of disappointment to come
from Devonshire to London," remarked Miss Slowcum, "whereas London is
_the_ place for aspiring souls."

"Oh, I'm so delighted to hear you say that!" said Jasmine--"Poppy--I
mean Sarah--spoke quite dismally this morning, but I knew she must be
wrong."

"The young country servant," responded Miss Slowcum, "Sarah Jane, I
think her name is--oh, well, her judgment need scarcely be depended
on. Yes, London is the place of places. I have lived here for years,
and I ought to know."

"We quite believe you," said Jasmine--"don't we, Primrose?--we have
come up here because we quite feel with you; we are going out after
lunch to see the beauties of the city."

"May I ask, young ladies, if this is your first visit to the
metropolis?" suddenly inquired Mrs. Mortlock.

Primrose answered her "Yes; we have never been here before."

"Then, Mrs. Flint, I put it to you, is it safe to allow these young
unfledged birds out into this vast and bewildering place? ought not
some one to chaperon them?"

"We thought of asking for Poppy," answered Jasmine.

Here Mrs. Flint frowned at her.

"Allow me to make one request, Miss Jasmine Mainwaring; the young
person you speak of is not known here by a name which signifies a tare
or a weed. Yes, I shall be pleased to allow Sarah to go out with you
this afternoon for a short time, but she knows as little of London as
you do. I cannot go myself, as Friday is a busy afternoon. I can,
however, give you a map, and if you all keep close together and don't
wander too far, and are careful only to inquire of policemen your
destination you may get back safely. Don't forget, tea at six."

Here Miss Slowcum, turning her eyes slowly, looked carefully all over
the three girls.

"I am most particular," she said; "I never wander abroad without
carefully choosing my company, but on the whole I feel satisfied a
kindred spirit to my own lurks in your eyes, Miss Jasmine. Permit me,
young ladies, to escort you forth this afternoon."

This offer was accepted very gladly, although