She followed his example, and together they passed from the beautiful dining-room out into the hall, and thence to another room on the front of the house, which was fitted up as half library, half music-room.
In it there stood a new Steinway piano, with a richly carved case and pearl keys. The handsome bookcases, each surmounted by books of popular authors, were filled with choice volumes, while the other furniture, upholstered in olive and crimson, was most luxurious.
From here they went up stairs, and over the drawing-room found a most charming suite of rooms, furnished throughout in blue and white.
The dainty bed, in its pretty chamber, was draped with antique lace, over blue silken curtains, with a spread to match; draperies of the same kind hung at the windows, and all the toilet articles were of costly china, most beautifully decorated. The boudoir, or sitting-room, was fitted up with every convenience, and all those pretty trifles which young girls so much admire, carpeted with wreaths of forget-me-nots and golden-hearted daisies. The furniture was covered with richest brocade of the same design, while the full-length mirror, in its massive blue and gold frame, revealed, as Star went up to it, a beautiful maiden, with shining hair, gleaming eyes, smiling coral lips, and glowing cheeks—a fitting tenant for this lovely bower.
“Allow me to introduce you to the heiress of Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire,” said the old gentleman, taking her hand and bowing before the fair apparition in the glass. “How do you like her?”
“I can’t tell just yet, she is such a new creature; but,” with a roguish look up into his eyes, “I’m very fond of the millionaire.”
“Thank you, Miss Gladstone; your favor is most highly appreciated,” he returned, laughing. “But come, you must see my bachelor den;” and he led her across the hall to a room over the dining-room, and here she found every comfort, if something less of elegance.
Opposite her sitting-room there was a great chamber, furnished in crimson and gold, while up another flight were the servants’ rooms. Mrs. Blunt’s room was on the lower floor, where she could conveniently overlook her assistants at all hours.
“It is like a story,” Star said, when they had been the rounds and came back to the library; “and now what are we to do next, Uncle Jacob?”
Her plans had all been for work, and now that she found there was to be no more toil or care for her—nothing but pleasure and what her own sweet will dictated, she hardly knew where or how to take up the thread of her life again; therefore the query: