ndent could be. She opened it eagerly. It
contained a folded sheet of paper, out of which dropped two crisp Bank
of England notes for five pounds each. The sheet of paper itself
contained the following words:--

"DEAR JASMINE:--I have found a pawnbroker who better understands the
value of your old lace. I have borrowed ten pounds for you on it, with
liberty for you to redeem the shawl and flounces at your convenience.
You can pay me back the ten shillings I lent you last night when you
get change; but there is no hurry. Come and have tea this evening at
six, dear. I have much to talk over with you.

"Your affectionate friend,
"AGNES EGERTON."

Poor little Jasmine's delight can scarcely be conceived. She found it
an easy matter to change one of the notes, and Poppy was in possession
of the balance of her money long before the evening. Her radiant face
seemed scarcely to belong to the same girl when she entered Miss
Egerton's room in time for that good lady's tea.

"Jasmine," said Miss Egerton, when the meal was over, and Jasmine had
exhausted her many expressions of rapture, and astonishment, and
gratitude, "I have news to tell you. That dreadful man Dove has
received a long term of imprisonment. He won't trouble our dear little
Daisy again."

"And Daisy is beginning to get better," said Jasmine. "I heard from
Primrose to-day, and she wrote quite hopefully about her. Yes, I
suppose I am glad that Mr. Dove is locked up; it was so very wicked
of him to frighten our little pet."

"I also had a letter from Primrose," said Miss Egerton. "She is
unhappy because she thinks that I am at personal inconvenience for the
money which I lent her instead of that which Dove stole. I am not
inconvenienced for it--I can never regret making matters a little
smooth for you poor children. I am going to write to Primrose
to-night; but before I do so I should like to have a little talk with
you, Jasmine."

"Oh, yes," said Jasmine, "I feel very humble to-night, and very
thankful. I am in the kind of humor to-night when I could listen to
any amount of good advice."

"Notwithstanding, Jasmine," said Miss Egerton, with a slight smile,
"that advisers are never considered the most agreeable people.
Jasmine, dear, I have seen Mrs. Ellsworthy to-day."

"Our darling Mrs. Ellsworthy," said Jasmine, flushing brightly; "and
how was she? Does she know that I still care for her?"

"I think she does, Jasmine, and undoubtedly she cares