“But _I_ particularly wished you and Grace to have a comfortable place where you could enjoy your sail,” he returned, indignantly. “I know, and you were very kind and thoughtful; but I shall feel better to leave them to get what enjoyment they can from occupying seats which they must know were intended for others. What do you say, Grace?” Star asked, appealing to Miss Meredith. “I do not see but what we shall be obliged to submit, since I do not wish to be rude to any of our party. But I must say I think they are very cool.” They moved away to another portion of the boat, but when, an hour later, they saw the interlopers promenading the deck, they quietly slipped into the vacated seats, and settled themselves for the remainder of the sail. Here they were soon chatting in the most sociable manner, and were right in the midst of a most interesting discussion regarding their toilet for an approaching reception, when a cold voice broke out upon them, saying: “Miss Gladstone, may I trouble you to vacate our chairs?” Star started and flushed. Too well she knew those incisive tones. But she quickly recovered herself, however, and looking up at Mrs. Richards, for it was she who had spoken, said: “_Your_ chairs? Are they yours?” “Certainly; you have already seen us occupying them, I believe,” the woman responded, haughtily. Star’s face began to dimple with amusement, for she knew well enough that this demand was only made to annoy her and make her unpleasantly conspicuous, and she was determined to turn the tables to their own mortification; for they could not fail to learn when they landed to whom the chairs and other comforts belonged. She made a motion to Grace, who, she saw, was bristling with indignation, to keep silent; then she arose, bowing with graceful politeness to Mrs. Richards and her daughter, though her eyes were gleaming with suppressed laughter. “I beg pardon if I have been occupying what does not rightfully belong to me, and I cheerfully resign _my_ chair to your _prior claim_.” Josephine flushed, for she saw that it was all Star could do to restrain her merriment, though what should have caused it she could not understand; while she looked so pretty and was so lady-like, it made her angry. “I’m sure,” she began, hotly, and raising her voice so that others could hear her, “I don’t see what you’re so amused over, Stella Gladstone; and it seems to me that you’re putting on altogether too many airs for a girl who used to perform the services of a chambermaid in our house.” For a moment Star stood as if dumfounded; then she lifted her bright head a trifle, as if in conscious superiority, gave Miss Richards a cool stare of surprise, and turned away without a word. Not so Miss Meredith, however. She kept her seat with the utmost composure, watching this little scene with both interest and amusement until Josephine so tauntingly insulted her friend. Then she, too, arose, drawing her tall form to its fullest height.