Primrose said she would go back to Rosebury directly, and she was so fortunate as to meet Noel as he was starting for London.

“You must come with me,” she said earnestly.  “I fear our dear little Daisy is even worse than Hannah represented her to be.  She has absolutely refused to see me, and talks only about you and Mrs. Ellsworthy.  I don’t know what she can want with either of you, but it is quite evident that she thinks you can help her and save her from some great trouble.  Poppy said she wanted Mrs. Ellsworthy to give her money; I suppose to replace what she lost of mine.  Well, Mrs. Ellsworthy is not here; so can you come to see her to-night?”

“I will come at once, Miss Mainwaring,” answered Noel.  “If we walk down this street we shall pass the post-office, and I can send a telegram to Mrs. Ellsworthy and also to my servant, Lawson.  I must try and get into town some time to-morrow, however, for I have got to attend the trial of no less a person than your old landlord, Dove.  He was apprehended for stealing a bank-note and a ring from my mantle-piece.”

“I never liked that man,” said Primrose; “indeed, I never thought either of the Doves quite honest.  Mrs. Dove made a rule of keeping back a little of the money she borrowed from me on all occasions.”

Then Primrose and Noel walked as quickly as they could down the village street.  Noel despatched his necessary telegram, and in a short time they both found themselves in Hannah’s humble cottage.

“She is asleep,” said Hannah, as she came out to meet them.  “She is moaning in her sleep, and she gives sighs enough to break your heart.  You had better, both of you, stay in my little sitting-room until she awakes.”

“If you will allow me,” said Noel, “I will go and sit beside her bed; she is accustomed to me.  I will promise to be very careful in my dealings with her.  I believe I can talk to her without startling her in the least.”

Hannah looked dubious, but Primrose interposed in her gentle voice—­

“Yes, Hannah, Mr. Noel will not startle Daisy; he has always had a most happy influence over her.”

Poor little Daisy! the sight of her wan face, the anxious expression which seemed indelibly stamped on her childish brow, gave Noel so strong a sense of pain and indignation that he sincerely longed to secure for Dove as severe a punishment as the law would give.  He sat down gently by the humble little bed, and when the child moaned and tossed in her sleep he laid his cool hand on her forehead.  That hand had a magnetic effect—­even in her sleep Daisy seemed to know it.  She murmured, “The Prince, has he come?” and a moment after she opened her dark blue eyes and fixed them on Noel, while a very faint smile flitted across her little face.

“You have come at last, Mr. Prince.  I am very, very glad; I have wanted you,” she said.

“I have wanted you, Daisy; I have been looking for you everywhere.  I have been in great trouble about you,” answered Noel, in his gentlest tones.