she's got to accept
something far worse; for it really must be dreadful to be 'continual
reader' to poor old Mrs. Mortlock. Now, Daisy, what I say is
this--there's no use in wasting time or money looking after things
which don't suit us. Primrose was meant to be a secretary or continual
reader, and so she has to be one; and I have always been meant to
belong to the rather higher order of novelist or poet, and there's no
use in my being damped any longer by Miss Egerton. I don't mean to be
conceited, but I know that I have got the flutterings of a poet's
wings in my soul, and soar I must."

Jasmine looked very pretty while she was speaking, and little Daisy
admired her high-flown words, and fully believed in her genius.

"Do soar, Jasmine, darling," she said; "I have not a notion how you
are to do it, but do begin at once. It will make these rooms more than
ever like a Palace Beautiful if you take to soaring in them."

"I've nearly finished my novel," said Jasmine; "and I've also written
a poem. It is called the 'Flight of the Beautiful,' and is in seven
parts. Each part would take up two or three pages of a magazine.
To-morrow, Daisy dear, I am going to take my novel and poem into the
market. I shall offer them to the highest bidders. I won't send them
by post, for I always notice in books that, when gifted authors send
their contributions by post, they are declined with thanks, because
they aren't read. I am going to take my own manuscripts to the
publishers, Daisy, and I shall propose to them to read aloud a few
extracts."

"You can't be at all shy if you do that, Jasmine," said Daisy, looking
in a rather awe-struck way at her sister.

"Shy?" echoed Jasmine. "If one feels it, one has only to get over it.
Is that the way to conquer difficulties, Daisy?--just to be baffled by
a little nervous feeling. No, I really want to fill the purse, and I
also wish to give the publishers what I am sure they must be always
looking for; for I have looked in vain, month after month, in several
magazines, and nowhere have I seen three or four pages of continual
blank verse. I suppose they can't get it, poor things! but they will
in my 'Flight of the Beautiful!'"

"_I_ think blank verse a little dull," said Daisy, softly, and half
under her breath; but, when Jasmine frowned, she added hastily, "Of
course you're splendidly brave, dear Jasmine; and who'll go with you
to the publisher's when you do go?"

"I've been considering tha