here interposed Poppy.

"Come and tell me all about it, Jasmine," said Noel, in his most
sympathizing tones. He led the poor little girl to the sofa, and,
sitting down by her, listened attentively to her story.

"But the Ellsworthys are in London," he said, when he heard that Daisy
had gone to them.

On hearing this news poor Jasmine burst into floods of fresh weeping.

"Oh, then she's sure to be quite lost!" she said. "Oh, Mr. Noel, if
you are in any sense a true friend, won't you try to find her?"

"Yes, Jasmine; I will never rest until I find her. I am glad I came in
to-day. I came to ask you to do something for me, but I find you want
my help instead. I will come here this evening, about the time your
sister is likely to be back, and I will then go and look for Daisy, in
case she is not found. Don't be frightened, Jasmine, I am quite sure
we shall soon get tidings of the dear little girl."

"And do you know," said Jasmine, who felt a little comforted, "that we
have not only lost Daisy, but all our quarter's money. It is most
mysterious. Primrose gave Daisy a check to take care of for her, and
Daisy says she has gone away because the cheque is lost. We have no
money now that the cheque is lost, except just what Primrose earns
from Mrs. Mortlock."

"There's a likelihood of some more earnings presently, Miss Jasmine,"
here interposed Poppy, in a cheerful voice; "there's a likelihood of a
good bit more money when this powerful and thrilling romance is
published."

"Your story, Jasmine?" said Noel, "and in type? Who did you get to
publish it, my dear child? Oh, you must let me read this."

"Another time, please, Mr. Noel. I don't think I could quite bear it
to-day," said Jasmine.

Noel looked at her earnestly.

"I wonder, Jasmine," he said, "even though you are in such trouble, if
you would be brave enough to help _me_, and to earn a little money to
day? I want you to do quite a simple thing, and something you will
probably enjoy. I have never read any of your romances, but I have
often noticed that you possess rather remarkable artistic tastes, and
that you have a very correct eye for the arrangement of color. I have
been struck with this even in this little room, and I happened to
mention my observations one day to a lady who is a friend of mine.
That lady is giving a dinner-party to-night, and she wants some one to
arrange the flowers on her table in as fresh and new a style as
possible. Will you come w