's habit, for he was a very
intelligent man, Miss Mainwaring. And then I like my bit of gossip and
my Court news. I adore my Queen, Miss Mainwaring, and it is a real
_bona fide_ pleasure to learn when and where she drives abroad. You'll
come, please, in the morning, and set to work at your continual
reading. Salary, fifteen shillings a week certain. Now, now, you
needn't hesitate at taking what I call a lofty salary, for it always
was my way to pay down handsome. There now, that's settled. Shake
hands, dear; good-bye till the morning. Sarah Maria, you needn't show
up no more of the 'continual readers,' for I believe I have made a
bargain with this young lady."

"Oh, Miss Primrose!" said poor Poppy, as she showed her out, "I am
more than thankful that you are coming here, miss--that's for my sake,
miss, though I'm dreadful afraid you'll suffer yourself. I'm awful
afraid you'll get muddled in your head, miss, for as to mine, it has
swam away long ago. I begin not to know in the least who I am, miss.
Poppy, why it ain't nowhere! only I'm Sarah, with all the other words
in the dictionary tacked on to it. I don't mind it now; they say folks
can get accustomed to anything, so I don't mind being Sarah, and
everything else too, only it has a very swimming effect on the head,
Miss Primrose. Oh, my darling young lady! do ask Miss Jasmine and Miss
Daisy to let me come and see them."

"Yes, Poppy, you shall come and see us all again, if you will only
keep our little secret, for just at present we don't want the people
at home to know where we are; and remember, Poppy dear, that you are
always Poppy to us three girls."

"I'll hold on to that," said poor Poppy, "when my head's fairly
reeling. I'll clutch on to it, and hold firm. Poppy, which means a
tare, I am, to my own dear young ladies. Oh dear! oh dear! they're
calling me--it's Sarah Matilda this time. Good-bye until to-morrow,
dear Miss Primrose."

CHAPTER XXXII.

JASMINE BEGINS TO SOAR.

When Primrose went home and told her sisters and Miss Egerton what she
had done, Jasmine's eyes had grown first bright, and then misty.

"To be continual reader to Mrs. Mortlock!" she exclaimed. "Oh,
Primrose, it is an act of self-denial to you--it is, isn't it? Own at
once that you were very brave to do it, darling."

"I don't think so," said Primrose; "there may be a certain little
amount of drudgery in it, and perhaps I would rather have orders to
paint beautiful roses and