, in short, three sets of
everything. It was the prettiest, the brightest, the most lovely room
the girls had ever seen. It contained luxury, and neatness, and
comfort, and refinement, for beautiful pictures were placed on the
walls, and flowers peeped in at the windows, and the furniture was of
that sort which can best accommodate girls' pretty dresses and
knick-knacks.

"What a room!" said Jasmine. "Why, it's just like a girls' room! Any
one would suppose Mr. Noel had sisters."

Daisy began to skip about, and to poke her little fingers amongst the
curiosities and treasures which were scattered broadcast. Primrose
became silent, and walked over to one of the windows, and Poppy,
suddenly dropping her demure air, said in a voice of ecstasy--

"He's a lovely young man, and I'm engaged here permanent, and it's no
more Sarah Ann, nor Sarah Jane, but Poppy I'm to be from this time and
for ever. Oh, Miss Primrose, don't it make you real happy even to take
off your bonnet in a room like this?"

"I do feel happy," said Primrose, in that slow voice of hers. "I feel
happy, and I can't tell why. I am just going to give up my
independence, and I ought to be miserable, but at the present moment I
have a peculiar sense of rejoicing."

"And so have I," said Jasmine, "I could skip all day long; and as to
Eyebright, she looks fit to dance this very moment."

"I'm happy because I'm with the Prince," said Daisy; "that's always
quite enough for me."

Then the three sisters linked their arms round one another, and went
downstairs.

In Noel's very lovely drawing-room many friends were assembled. Mr.
and Mrs. Ellsworthy, of course, were present; also Mr. Danesfield,
Miss Martineau, and Miss Egerton. Old Hannah stood in the background
and when the three pretty sisters came into the room they were
surrounded by eager and loving faces, and were most warmly welcomed.
Mrs. Ellsworthy, it is true, still appeared much agitated; she had an
intense longing to take Jasmine in her arms and cry over her, but she
had, of course, too much sense to do anything so unsuitable and silly.
The girls were asked to sit down, and Mr. Ellsworthy, who had been
elected spokesman, stood up, cleared his throat, and looked at his
wife. Twice he made an attempt at utterance; finally he said in a
voice which trembled--"My dear, I can't manage it--you had better do
it yourself."

"I presume you are addressing me, Joseph," said Mrs. Ellsworthy.
"I--I--this is un