She had been exchanging some jesting words with them, and her laugh was in reply to some playful remark from them.
She was dressed all in white; she wore it almost constantly now, for she knew she looked lovelier in it than in anything else; everybody had told her that she had never been so beautiful as when she had stood beside Lord Carrol during that mock ceremony. There were great pearls in her hair and on her arms, and clusters of white lilacs on her bosom.
Star held her breath as she looked at her, thinking that she was indeed wondrously fair, and that it was not strange that she should allure any one by her beauty; but she believed she was dressed thus because she was a bride.
How bright and happy she looked, too, with the vivid color in her cheeks, her eyes sparkling from the excitement of the moment, and with that light laugh just leaving her red lips!
Why should she not be happy, Star thought, bitterly, as the wife of one of the noblest men in England, and occupying one of the proudest positions in the land?
A heavy sigh involuntarily escaped her, and, hearing it, Josephine turned quickly to see whence it came.
“Stella Gladstone!” she exclaimed, and instantly all the color went out of her face, all the light from her eyes, the laughter from her lips, and she stood regarding the beautiful girl with lowering brow and angry eyes.
CHAPTER XLI.
REHEARSING THE PAST.
Star arose as she addressed her thus, and with the act all her pride arose as well.
“Yes,” she said, speaking with cold politeness. “I suppose you are surprised; you did not expect to meet me here, Miss—Lady Carrol.”