illings to buy a single third to come to
Rosebury, and I forgot all about it. Please, Primrose, try and spare
me fifteen shillings to send to Poppy."

"So you too are in debt, Daisy," said Primrose. "Oh, dear, what shall
I do? Daisy, dear, forgive me, I ought not to mind anything now you
are growing better, but my heart is heavy, and I feel almost crushed.
Yes, Daisy, dear Poppy must have her money. I won't write to Miss
Egerton until to-morrow."

Here Primrose wiped some tears from her sweet brown eyes, but she took
good care not to allow Daisy to see that she was crying.

CHAPTER LII.

"I LOVE MRS. ELLSWORTHY."

The next afternoon, to the surprise of both Primrose and Daisy, Noel
arrived. Daisy greeted her Prince with rapture, but refused to hear
any particulars of Dove's trial.

"I want to forget him," she said. "You say he is in the dungeon now. I
don't want to think of it. If I think of it long I shall begin to be
so sorry for him."

"We will talk of something better and pleasanter," said Noel. "How
soon are you coming back to your Palace Beautiful, little Princess?"

Daisy looked anxiously across the room at Primrose. Primrose was
bending over some needlework, and a ray of sunlight was shining on her
fair head. She did not raise her eyes or respond in any way to the
little sister's glance.

"We did think of coming back to Miss Egerton's in the autumn," said
Daisy, "but last night Primrose--May I tell, Primrose?"

Primrose put down her work suddenly and came up to where Noel and
Daisy were sitting.

"It is just this," she said; "Daisy did not know she had such a proud
and obstinate sister. We had made our plans for the autumn--at least
we simply intended to struggle on, and hope and watch for brighter
days--but yesterday I had a letter from Miss Egerton, and some of its
contents troubled me a good deal. Daisy saw that I was unhappy, and I
told her what Miss Egerton wanted. I thought the dear little one would
object, but she only said, 'Oh, let us be brave, Primrose; our Palace
Beautiful will be all the brighter if we really earn it.' Then she
added, 'I am beginning to wish to earn a little money myself, for I
want to give a very kind person back what he gave me.'"

Noel gave Daisy's thin little hand a squeeze. Primrose looked at the
two, and stopped speaking. After a moment's pause she said suddenly--

"I don't like the plan; I never can like it. Mrs. Ellsworthy is all
that is kind, but she