Archibald Sherbrooke!
The name smote her unpleasantly, for she remembered those two initials, “A. S.,” which were marked on the back of the setting of the cameo, and having two tiny strawberry leaves engraved underneath.
Could it be possible that Star—the despised girl at Yonkers—knew Archibald Sherbrooke, the friend of Lord Carrol, and that he had given this elegant cameo to her?
She remembered how, when she had asked her to give it to her, Star’s lips had trembled as she said “it was the gift of a friend and she did not like to part with it;” but she never imagined that the associate of a peer would take interest enough in a girl occupying the position she occupied to give her so costly an ornament as this.
The thought was not a pleasant one, or it told her that if such was the case, and there could be no doubt of it, that Star was known and appreciated by one whom this English lord held in high esteem.
She would have liked to question him more about this “friend” of his, but did not wish to betray too much curiosity lest he should mistrust that she had the identical stone which he referred to, and should in turn ask unpleasant questions of her.
She therefore changed the subject as quickly as possible, hoping to win him to a mood more congenial with her own feelings and desires.
But her efforts proved unavailing, for his lordship had suddenly become thoughtful and taciturn; and Miss Richards at last, berating herself soundly for having worn that unlucky ring that evening, signified her desire to return to the hotel.
Mrs. Richards had watched them saunter from the veranda in a flutter of anticipation, hoping that the all-important moment had at last arrived.
But one glance at her daughter’s face when they came back told her that the much wished for crisis had not arrived, and she felt deeply disappointed.