Mr. Danesfield did not pay a long visit. He had known the Mainwarings,
although not very intimately, for years. He was a good-hearted, kind,
and very busy man, and during their mother's lifetime he had taken but
little notice of the girls.

To-day, however, he seemed to regard them with fresh interest. He
assured Primrose that if he could assist her in any business capacity
he would only be too pleased to do so. "Our good friend Miss Martineau
assures me that your means are likely to be a little straitened, my
dear. I am sincerely sorry, although there are worse troubles--yes,
assuredly, far worse troubles. It cannot do a healthy girl any harm to
work. Yes, come to me for advice if you care to, and look on me as an
old friend. And hark ye, Miss Primrose, I am glad Mrs. Ellsworthy has
called. Make the most of your opportunity at Shortlands, my dears.
Yes; I'll look in another day with pleasure. Good-bye, good-bye."

When Mr. Danesfield went away the two elder sisters looked at each
other. What did it all mean? What mystery was there in the air?
Jasmine thought both Miss Martineau and Mr. Danesfield very
disagreeable but Primrose pondered these things and felt anxious.




CHAPTER VII.

SHORTLANDS.