Lady Sherbrooke shot a keen glance into that lovely, blushing face, and there came a look of surprise into her own, while for once she lost something of the graceful self-possession that was habitual to her as she greeted Star. Her heart went forth to the young girl at once, and she experienced a shock akin to that which Vivien had felt when she met her. CHAPTER XLII. THE LAWYER’S REBUKE. There was something strangely familiar about that slight, graceful form and in those lustrous eyes—in that golden-crowned head, and the now happy, smiling lips. “Miss Gladstone, I am very glad to meet you,” she began, as she cordially put out her hand to her; then turning abruptly, and speaking with a slightly startled accent, she added: “Archie, surely I have met her before?” “Yes,” he answered, his face glowing; “I see that you have recognized her.” “Star,” and the tender inflection on that name told his mother everything, “she has seen the picture that I painted when I was in America, and she has now discovered who the original is.” “Yes, my dear,” Lady Sherbrooke added, while she studied the beautiful, flushed face; “I do recognize your countenance, and I am quite proud of my son’s achievements as an artist. You are an American, I believe. I am very happy to welcome you to England.” Star’s heart beat rapidly at this cordial, almost tender greeting, and wondered if she was indeed the same girl who, feeling so wretched and forlorn, had entered that room only two hours before. “No, mother; Miss Gladstone is not an American,” Archie explained. “She is an English lassie, and we met on shipboard while crossing the Atlantic; but more of that story anon,” he said, significantly. “Now, will you entertain her for a few moments while I go and find Vivien?” “With pleasure,” Lady Sherbrooke responded, her heart bounding to hear those clear, joyous tones ringing through her son’s voice—sounds which she had not heard before since his first return from America; while she said to herself: “This is the girl whom my son loves and will choose for his wife;” and her heart warmed toward Star as it never had done before toward another outside of her own family. After finding his sister and taking her back to Star and his mother, Lord Carrol sought Mr. Rosevelt and had a long talk with him, explaining to him, as he had to his dear one, the unfortunate circumstances which had conspired to separate them, and learning in return something of their life during the past fourteen or fifteen months. After this he rejoined the trio of ladies—those three beautiful women whom he loved above everything else in the world.