“No fear of that, Starling. The hours, days, and months, and years, I trust, will roll by and bring you only joy and pleasure, with no rude awaking. You are to have everything that you want—and mind, by that I do not mean just what you _need_, and have you stop to count the cost on those pretty fingers of yours, as I have seen you do so often. You shall have music and painting to your heart’s content. You shall have a pair of ponies and a phaeton of the most approved style; and, in fact, little girl, it will take you a good while to find the bottom of my purse. But how do you like your tea-service? I chose it myself, and had it marked expressly for you.” “It is perfectly lovely,” Star replied, as her eyes roved admiringly over the beautiful and costly equipage, upon each piece of which there gleamed a star in delicate frost-work. “I’m glad you like it. And now, my dear, suppose you open that small box by your plate.” Star gave him a wondering look—indeed, all her looks had been wondering ones during the last hour—and opened a little white box, which had until now lain unnoticed beside her plate. She found inside a morocco case, and springing back the lid of this, an elegant little watch and chatelaine were exposed to her delighted eyes. “Uncle Jacob! I cannot tell whether I am awake or dreaming,” she cried, a rosy flush spreading over her whole face. “It is the dearest little watch in the world. And is this star on the case made of diamonds?” “Yes; diamonds are none too good for _my_ star.” “And you had this waiting for me, even when we were talking about my having a watch while we were driving?” “Yes; I was only sounding you a little to see if you would like a watch best or something else. Now, if you are through, put it in your belt and come with me,” he said, rising from the table. 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.