pounds was really a much smaller sum of money than she had given it
credit for being. Try as she might, it would not stretch itself over
the expenses of even the humblest establishment of three. She was much
comforted, however, by the reflection that there remained a large sum
to their credit in the bank. Primrose found her faith shaken in the
capacities of an income of thirty pounds a year; but a sum total of
two hundred pounds she still believed to be almost inexhaustible. She
resolved to go and consult Mr. Danesfield on the morrow.

Mr. Danesfield was generally to be found in his private room at the
bank by ten o'clock in the morning. Very soon after that hour on the
following day a clerk came to say that one of the young ladies from
Woodbine Cottage wanted to see him. "The eldest young lady, and she
says her business is very pressing," continued the man.

The bank at Rosebury was only a branch office of a large establishment
in the nearest town. It happened that that morning Mr. Danesfield was
particularly busy, and anxious to get away to the large bank at an
early hour. For more reasons than one, therefore he felt annoyed at
Primrose's visit.

"Poor child," he said to himself, "I have certainly nothing very good
to tell her; and I have undoubtedly no time to waste over her this
morning."

Aloud, however, he said to his clerk--

"Ask Miss Mainwaring to step this way--and, Dawson, order my trap to
be at the door in ten minutes."