That very afternoon the energetic young man went to see Miss Egerton.  They discussed the subject in an its bearings, and Miss Egerton arranged to speak to Primrose at the first opportunity.

CHAPTER XXXV.

THEIR QUARTER’S ALLOWANCE.

“Two letters,” said Daisy, holding them up in her hand; “actually two letters; one for Primrose—­oh, yes! of course that must be from Mr. Danesfield; and one for Jasmine—­oh!  Jasmine’s is such a funny-looking letter, quite thick and interesting, and with a darling little picture on the back.  What can the picture be?—­oh! some little bells, and The Joy-bell written over them.”

“Give it to me,” said Jasmine, her face suddenly turning crimson.  “Oh, Daisy! why do you examine my letters so curiously?  This was meant to be quite private.  Oh, oh, oh! how my fingers tremble.”

“We are all alone, you know, Jasmine,” said Daisy; “dear Primrose is not in.  She went to her continual reading nearly an hour ago.  Dear Primrose! she sometimes looks quite pale and tired.  Perhaps the letter is about our secret, Jasmine; please do read it to me—­please do.”

But by this time Jasmine had torn the envelope open, and was oblivious to all Daisy’s comments.  Her eager eyes devoured the contents of an official-looking sheet of paper, then she danced up and down the room, then she tossed the paper up to the ceiling, and finally caught Daisy in her arms, and covered her little face with kisses.

“Oh, Daisy, it’s too good!—­I’m so happy, I could almost cry.  Daisy, darling, he wants to see me about my story—­he thinks it’s very fine—­he says there are masterly bits in it—­I’m to go and see him as soon as possible.”

“Him?” repeated Daisy; “but who is he, Jasmine?”

“He’s the editor of one of the most powerful of all our magazines,” said Jasmine; “the magazine is called The Joy-bell—­hasn’t it a delicious title?  Oh, Daisy!  I must go at once to see him.”

“Take me with you,” said Daisy, coming up close to her sister—­“take me with you, darling, dear Jasmine.  I’m much better, I’ve nearly lost my cough, and the spring is coming; the air feels quite warm to-day—­do take me, Jasmine, for it is our own secret, and then, after you’ve got your money—­for I suppose you’ll get a lot of money—­we can both tell Primrose to-night.”

Jasmine hesitated, but the sun was shining warmly, and Daisy’s little face was very pleading—­Jasmine felt so happy at this moment that she greatly longed to give happiness.

“Yes,” she said, suddenly, “I don’t suppose Primrose will really mind, and you must wrap up well; only there’s just one thing, Daisy, we’ll have to call for Poppy.  I would not on any account go to the publisher’s without Poppy.”

As Jasmine and Daisy were hurrying quickly down the street to catch the first omnibus which went in the direction of the Edgware Road, Daisy suddenly clutched her sister’s hand, the color left her pretty face, and she began to hurry forward at a very rapid pace.