Ralph Meredith found it hard to conceal the bitterness which he experienced, as he realized how gladly Star would give herself to her manly lover when she learned of his fidelity. His heart was still sore over his recent disappointment, but his nature was too noble, he was too generous in his love for her, to wish to place a single obstacle in the way of her happiness, or of the man whom he now deemed worthy of her in every respect. He gave Lord Carrol a history of Star’s life during the last year, telling him of her success as a young authoress, and of the happy change in her worldly circumstances as the acknowledged ward and heiress of Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire. He spoke also of the admiration which her grace and beauty had excited during the past season at Newport. “I am glad,” Archibald Sherbrooke said, earnestly, and his lip trembled as he spoke, “that her life has been made so much brighter during the past year, and I shall always be grateful to Mr. Rosevelt for his kindness; and yet I am almost selfish enough to wish that _I_ could have been the one to raise her to a more congenial sphere. I shall go to the United States at once. I must seek her and set myself right with her as soon as possible. Will you be so good as to give me Mr. Rosevelt’s address?” “With pleasure,” Ralph responded; “but you will not find them in New York just at present, for they, with my sister—who is a very intimate friend of Miss Gladstone’s—are traveling in the far West, and will not return under three or four months.” Lord Carrol looked thoughtful and disappointed at this intelligence. “I must wait, then,” he said, with a sigh, “until their return. The time will seem very long, although I am greatly needed here just now, and it would be much to my own disadvantage were I to leave before my affairs are in a more settled state; but I should let no pecuniary consideration deter me from going to Star if I was sure I should find her. However, I must submit to the inevitable; and now, Mr. Meredith,” he concluded, with a genial smile, “what can I do to make your stay in our city pleasant? I am at your disposal for any length of time.” “Thank you, my lord. My business will not permit my tarrying much longer just now; but I intend to return to London in the course of three or four months, and shall hope to meet you again then,” Ralph answered. “I shall most certainly see to it that we _do_ meet again,” Lord Carrol returned; “and now, if you have no engagement for to-morrow, will you do me the honor to dine with me?” “It will give me great pleasure to do so. I have no other engagement,” Mr. Meredith returned. He was growing to admire Star Gladstone’s handsome lover exceedingly, notwithstanding the fact that he was his own rival.