The hall was nearly empty, almost everybody being in the parlors or the dancing-hall, so there was no one by just at that moment to witness what transpired. “What does this mean?” Mrs. Richards demanded, in a low but authoritative tone. “Stella Gladstone, how is it that I find you here? Uncle Jacob, where have you been all this time, and what strange freak of fortune brings you here in this unaccountable fashion?” Mr. Rosevelt started slightly on beholding his niece standing in that excited attitude directly in his path; while Star grew pale at first, for she had always stood somewhat in fear of the arrogant woman while she was an inmate of her house. But remembering that everything was entirely different now, she quickly recovered herself. But for all that, she clung a little more closely to Mr. Rosevelt’s arm, as if she was glad that he was there, though in no other way did she betray how disagreeable this encounter was to her, or appear as if she had ever met them before. “Tell me what this means?” Mrs. Richards repeated, looking from one to the other, noting Star’s delicate beauty with a pang of bitter jealousy, her self-possession and grace; Mr. Rosevelt’s improved appearance, his rich apparel, and more than all, the air of pride and fondness which pervaded every look and attention which he bestowed upon his companion. “Well, niece Ellen,” Mr. Rosevelt returned, in a quiet tone, while he met her eye with a cold, steady glance that made her very uncomfortable, “it appears that you are considerably excited over this unexpected meeting. Suppose we retire to yonder anteroom, where we can converse unobserved.” He turned and led the way, with Star still upon his arm, to a small room upon the opposite side of the hall; they entered, and he shut the door, for he did not care that any one should overhear what passed between them, nor did he intend that Ellen Richards should do or say anything which should make them objects of remark. “Now, Ellen, what is it that I am to account to you for?” he asked, in the same quiet tone which he had before used. She colored angrily, but she was determined to get at the bottom of the matter. “I have heard strange rumors to-night,” she remarked. “I am told that Stella has become an authoress—that she is very popular, as well as her book, and I want to know what it means. A year ago you were both dependents upon my bounty; now I find you sailing about, like a couple of meteors, among the other shining lights of society. I want an explanation of the cause of this change.”