While this conversation was going on Bridget knocked at the girls'
door, and presented Jasmine with a thick parcel, which had just
arrived for her by post. It was some of the manuscript, and the first
proofs of her story. The parcel came to hand at a sorrowful moment,
and Jasmine laid it on the sofa, made no comment about it, and did not
attempt to open it. Primrose scarcely raised her head from her hands,
and was not the least curious, but Poppy's eyes gleamed brightly, for
sharp Poppy guessed what the parcel contained, and she sincerely hoped
that whatever happened this story would prove a great success, and
that it would bring in so many gold coins to her young lady that she
would become not only rich herself, but able to pay back what she had
borrowed from her. For although Poppy was the soul of generosity, she
_did_ want her wages back.




CHAPTER XLII.

A NEW EMPLOYMENT.


At an early hour the next morning Mrs. Dredge and Primrose started for
Rosebury, and poor Jasmine and Poppy prepared to have a long and
lonely time by themselves. Poppy hoped that Jasmine would cheer up,
and look at that lovely printed story of hers, and perhaps read it
aloud to her; but poor Jasmine was really nearly broken-hearted, and
said once almost passionately--