Lady Sherbrooke shot a keen glance into that lovely, blushing face, and there came a look of surprise into her own, while for once she lost something of the graceful self-possession that was habitual to her as she greeted Star.
Her heart went forth to the young girl at once, and she experienced a shock akin to that which Vivien had felt when she met her.
CHAPTER XLII.
THE LAWYER’S REBUKE.
There was something strangely familiar about that slight, graceful form and in those lustrous eyes—in that golden-crowned head, and the now happy, smiling lips.
“Miss Gladstone, I am very glad to meet you,” she began, as she cordially put out her hand to her; then turning abruptly, and speaking with a slightly startled accent, she added:
“Archie, surely I have met her before?”
“Yes,” he answered, his face glowing; “I see that you have recognized her.”
“Star,” and the tender inflection on that name told his mother everything, “she has seen the picture that I painted when I was in America, and she has now discovered who the original is.”
“Yes, my dear,” Lady Sherbrooke added, while she studied the beautiful, flushed face; “I do recognize your countenance, and I am quite proud of my son’s achievements as an artist. You are an American, I believe. I am very happy to welcome you to England.”
Star’s heart beat rapidly at this cordial, almost tender greeting, and wondered if she was indeed the same girl who, feeling so wretched and forlorn, had entered that room only two hours before.