“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 for you.  She again offers to help you, and, Jasmine, dear, I think the time has come when you must accept her help.”

Jasmine smiled, and flushed brightly.

“I do not mind,” she said; “I mean I do not mind as Primrose minds, but I know, I fear that it will go very hard with Primrose.”