He was very kind, although he could not be persuaded to say that he thought Primrose's scheme a wise one, but this chance encounter might never have led to anything further but for a little coincidence which shows what a small place the world is, after all.

When Primrose and Daisy, Poppy and the sedate Miss Slowcum, joined Jasmine, as she stood with her companion examining Nelson's monument, they were accompanied by a handsome, bright-faced boy, who ran up to Mr.Noel, and linked his hand within his arm.

This boy turned out to be young Frank Ellsworthy, and, as the girls all exclaimed on hearing the name, Mr.Noel assured them that the Ellsworthys were his greatest friends--that he loved Mrs.Ellsworthy almost as if she were his own mother.
"I felt that I must speak to you," he said to Jasmine.

"I cannot tell you why nor wherefore, but your face seemed familiar--I did not think you would turn out to be an absolute stranger." Thus the girls made a very valuable acquaintance; nevertheless, owing to circumstances, it was many a long day before they met Arthur Noel again..