The old gentleman was deeply touched by her thoughtfulness for him; he could not speak for the choking sensation in his throat, but drew her gently to him and kissed her fair forehead, feeling that she was the only gleam of sunshine which his life contained.
Now, as he stood by and heard her praises sung, and knew that she would have the fame that belonged to her, he exulted over it; and when, a little later, she came to him and slipped an envelope into his hand, saying: “It is another check, Uncle Jacob, which Mr. Appleton has just given to me. Please take care of it, for you are my banker, you know; and,” a tear starting to her glorious eyes, “I believe I never expected to be so happy again as I am to-night,” he thought his own cup of joy was nearly as full as hers.
She was, indeed, a star after that all through the evening, and held a right royal little court, receiving and making the acquaintance of the admirers of “Chatsworth’s Pride,” until she became so weary that she longed to get home to quiet and rest.
As soon as she could find an opportunity to do so, she drew Mr. Rosevelt to President Hunter and made her adieu.
Just as she was turning away, some one touched her on the arm.
“Miss Gladstone, allow me to present my brother, Mr. Ralph Meredith.”
It was Miss Meredith—Grace Meredith she had told Star she was called—who spoke, and looking up, she found a pair of brilliant dark eyes looking into hers, a handsome face smiling down upon her, while a musical voice acknowledged the introduction with evident pleasure.
“I expect you are the ‘star’ whom I have been wishing to know for a long time,” he said, significantly, as he took the hand she held out to him, and thought he had never seen a lovelier face in his life.
Star thanked him with a charming smile for his interest in her, and introduced him to Mr. Rosevelt; then turned to Miss Meredith to escape from the praises which she saw he was longing to pour into her ears.
The young man was somewhat chagrined at being thus summarily disposed of, but he was too polite and good-natured to betray it, and did his best to make himself agreeable to the old gentleman and win his good-will.