and I'll not start at all if I have the
cheque that you have signed under my pillow."

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

DAISY'S REQUEST.

Primrose was so anxious to soothe Daisy that she allowed her without a
moment's hesitation to have her way. The moment the child felt her hot
little fingers clasping the letter with its precious enclosure she
became quiet, and ceased to speak. Primrose had undressed her, and
placed her in bed, and she now turned her back on her sister, and
still clasping the letter tightly, closed her eyes. Primrose hoped she
was asleep, and went softly out of the room to talk over matters with
Jasmine and Miss Egerton. Miss Egerton could throw no light on the
subject of Daisy's queer attack, and when Primrose at last went to bed
she had to own that her anxieties with regard to her little sister had
returned.

The next morning she was obliged to leave earlier than usual, and
rather to Daisy's astonishment, and very much to her relief, said
nothing about Mr. Danesfield's letter. Primrose had not forgotten the
letter, but she knew she would not be able to go to the bank that
day, and she thought it would comfort Daisy to take care of it.

"Jasmine," she said to her second sister, "must you go out this
morning? I think it is hardly well to leave Daisy alone."

Jasmine's face clouded over.

"Have you forgotten, Primrose, that Miss Egerton and Mr. Noel were to
take me to South Kensington Museum to-day? They arranged that I should
go with them quite a week ago, and it would never do to put them off
again now. I'll tell you what I'll do, Primrose; I'll take Daisy too;
I'll see that she is not over tired, and Mr. Noel will take great care
of her; they are very fond of each other."

"Try to arrange it so, then, Jasmine," said Primrose; "for I do not
feel happy about her being left."

Primrose went away to spend her day as usual with Mrs. Mortlock, and
sat down to her "continual reading" with a heavy heart.

Mrs. Mortlock was losing her sight rapidly--cataract was forming on
her eyes, and she could now only dimly see the face and form of her
young companion. Primrose, however, always managed to soothe the
somewhat irascible old lady, and was already a prime favorite with
her.

To-day she took up the newspaper with a heavy heart, and the anxiety
which oppressed her made itself felt in a certain weary tone which
came into her voice.

Mrs. Mortlock was fond of Primrose, but was never slow in expressing