In a few minutes the cook returned, with a smile on his round face that made him look like the full moon, and bade Star to walk within. Star walked within, dazed, trembling and mortally afraid of the line of domestics, before whom it appeared she was passing in review. She was conducted into the presence of a bouncing little lady, dressed like a princess, with gold on her wrists, in her ears, on her breast, around her neck--a charmingly spry little lady, with a dignified nose, a pretty smile, and an air of geniality about her that might not be expected in the mistress of such a household. The little lady looked Star over, scrutinized her from head to foot. Every inch of the plumpy girl she seemed to weigh in the fine scale of her discrimination. She was neither pleased, nor displeased, so far as Star could see. She took her in as if she read the whole story of her life without the aid of a palmist's text book, or geanalogical dictionary from which to take her cue. "So you want to be my daughter's maid?" asked Mrs. Jarney, for that is whom the lady was, the mother of Edith. "I had thought I would like to learn," replied Star, who was already feeling at home in the presence of this fine lady. "Have you had experience?" "None; but I can learn." "How old are you?" "Eighteen, past." "You are large for your age." "But I have worked hard--that has made me strong." "You will need a little fixing up--what's your name?" "Miss Barton." "I kn--I mean your given name?" "Star." "Have Edith come down," said Mrs. Jarney to her maid; and she told Star to be seated. Edith came down in a few moments. She was so radiant that Star fairly held her breath. Edith advanced and presented her hand to Star, saying: "What is your name?" "Star Barton." "I kn--that is a fine name," replied Edith, holding Star's hand, and for the first time she began to feel that there was some mystery about her coming here, or else why this kindly greeting? "Mama," she said, still holding Star's hand and turning to her mother, "I shall like her, I know. I shall take her to my room and have her redressed. Will you come with me? Yes, of course." Edith, who had been very light hearted all that day, wheeled gracefully, lifted her skirts, and went up the stairs so lightly that she was like a bird of Paradise, so fairily did she trip along. Star Barton, in her poverty-stricken clothing, followed in such a delirium of amazement that she felt as if she were treading the clouds into Heaven itself. And thus into a new Heaven she went, with as little formality surrounding her going--once she was let into the mansion by the ever guardful servants--as is seldom found in this world of inequality. CHAPTER VI. THE TRANSFORMATION OF STAR BARTON. To Star Barton, it was like going into a fairyland. Edith was the fairy, Star the lowly nymph. Edith was the sparkling diamond that gave it its setting, Star was the rough jewel come to be recast.