t," said Jasmine; "and I think I'll take
Poppy. Poppy is to have a whole holiday on Tuesday next, because her
quarter's wages are due, and I'll ask her to come with me. She'd enjoy
it--Poppy would--and very likely in the evening I'll be able to tell
you and Primrose that I've made my first success. Oh, how happy and
how proud I shall be!"

A few minutes afterwards Jasmine went out, and Daisy wondered solemnly
if her bent in life was to keep on friendly terms with Mr. Dove.

"I'm very glad I took the Prince's advice," she said to herself. "I'm
much, much happier since I came to the Palace Beautiful, and I don't
think Mr. Dove minds much, for he has never answered my letter. Oh
dear! perhaps I was too much afraid of Mr. Dove. I am so glad the
Prince explained to me about being a selfish little girl. And, oh dear!
there is the Prince!"

Arthur Noel often came to see Daisy. He came in the evenings at an
hour when the elder girls were often away, and then Daisy sat on his
knee, and chatted to him volubly.

This afternoon she told him about both her sisters.

"Is having a bent the same as destiny, Mr. Noel?" she inquired
anxiously. "Jasmine says she has a bent, and she must follow it, and
no one can prevent her."

"The bent can be guided, Daisy," said Arthur; but he looked puzzled
and seemed uncomfortable at the little girl's news. The Ellsworthy's
had begged of Noel to promote the interests of these girls. He was
only too anxious to do so, but he found his task by no means an easy
one. What wild imprudence would poor little Jasmine commit if she was
not aided and helped; surely Primrose's work was too uncongenial for
her long to continue it. Why did the girls persistently reject the
kindnesses of those who would help them? Where was it all to end?
Their money could only hold out to a certain date. How fragile Daisy
looked, even now; had anybody been cruel to the little one? What was
the mystery about Mr. Danesfield's letter? and above all things, why
did not Mr. Danesfield reply to a long epistle which Arthur had sent
him some weeks ago?

CHAPTER XXXIII.

VISITING THE PUBLISHERS.

Jasmine had begged of Daisy to keep her secret from Primrose's ears.
She said that half her pleasure in bringing home money for her
contributions would be destroyed if Primrose knew about it beforehand.
Jasmine hoped that if she were very successful she might be able to
buy a little present apiece for both her sisters. Primrose