is no relation of ours. She lived in the same
place with us for years, and she never even called on our mother. Oh,
I don't blame her; she naturally thought that people who lived in an
humble little cottage at Rosebury were not ladies, but you see we are
ladies, and we cannot help feeling sore. I may agree to the plan--I
may be forced to agree to it for Jasmine's and Daisy's sakes--but I
can never, never like it."

Here Primrose went out of the room.

"She was crying for a long time last night," whispered Daisy; "it
hurts her dreadfully to take Mrs. Ellsworthy's money. I don't suppose
I mind it so much, because I was coming to Mrs. Ellsworthy to ask her
for some money. I did not find her, and I was miserable until you
found me and helped me, Prince. Then I love Mrs. Ellsworthy, and so
does Jasmine."

"That is it, Eyebright," answered Noel; "we do not mind receiving
kindnesses and favors from those we love. Yes, I am very sorry for
Primrose; I wish matters could be differently arranged for her."

While Noel was speaking Hannah came into the room with a cup of
beef-tea for the little invalid.

"You have done her a sight of good already, sir," she said, peering
with her short-sighted eyes into the young man's face. "I don't know
what we'd have done for her if you hadn't come that day, and talked to
her, and got her to tell you what that most villainous person in
London was after."

"Oh, don't, Hannah," said Daisy, "he's in a dungeon now--poor, poor
Mr. Dove; I must not think about him if I mean to get well."

Here Daisy shivered, and added under her breath, with her little pale
face working--

"I did promise it very faithfully that I would never tell about the
sweetmeats."

"He was a bad man, Daisy, and he richly deserves his punishment," said
Noel, in an almost stern voice, for he wished to check any unhealthy
sentimentality on the part of the delicate child. "You must think of
what you and your sisters have suffered, and be glad he has been
prevented doing any more mischief."

"Drink up your beef-tea, missy," said Hannah. "Please, Mr. Noel, sir,
will you hold the cup for little miss? Oh, my heart alive, what--what
is that?"

"I don't see anything," said Noel, "what has frightened you, Hannah?"

But Hannah had grown white, and looked very queer, and a moment after
she hurried out of the room.

"I never knew your servant was nervous," said Noel to Daisy.

"Nervous?" she repeated, laughing merrily. "Is i