“If you will step around to Hunt & Co.’s with me, you shall have one of those pretty summer silks that they are advertising so extensively. I should be gratified to have you as well dressed as your classmates, and I fear that your needs have been neglected in this respect,” he remarked, with a slight frown. Star flushed scarlet now. She had wished—oh, _so_ earnestly!—that morning that she could have something dainty to wear, and she had sighed regretfully as she thought of all her pretty clothes lying at the bottom of the ocean, for they had been prettily made, although they were of inexpensive material; and she had heard the girls talking of the new dresses which were being made for them. But when her toilet was completed and she looked in the glass, she felt that, notwithstanding the disadvantage of her apparel, there was at least a distinguished air about her which bespoke the true lady, and she was comforted. “Thank you,” she answered, quietly, while the color slowly receded from her brow and cheeks; “you are very kind to suggest it, but, if you please, I prefer to go as I am. I shall be gratified,” she added, dropping the proud ring out of her voice, “if you feel sufficiently interested to attend the exercises to-day, and I will endeavor to show you that I have tried to improve the advantages that you have given me.” “I should be willing to take your word for it,” Mr. Richards said, heartily, “but I will come and see for myself.” Star looked pleased at this assurance, and then, giving him a friendly little bow and smile, went away with a light heart. “By George! she’ll make a woman to be proud of, or—or ‘I’m much mistaken,’ as Mrs. Blunt would remark. She has spirit, too, and is bound to stand on her own merits. There are not many girls who would have refused the offer of a pretty new dress for such an occasion. I’ll go over to the seminary and see what she has been doing.” When Mr. Richards entered the hall of the seminary, he found it crowded to overflowing with spectators, anxious friends, and fond parents. He gradually worked his way forward toward the platform, for he was determined to hear Star’s essay, if possible, and finally took his stand beside a piece of statuary and near an open window, where he could have air and yet command a good view of all the exercises. Almost at the same moment a slight, willowy figure, clad in light gray, with a fair, delicate face, deep blue eyes, scarlet lips, and a wealth of golden hair, glided noiselessly to the piano on the platform, sat down, and after running her fingers nimbly over the keys for a moment or two, dashed off into a brilliant and difficult sonata. It was executed apparently without a mistake from beginning to end, and without notes, and when it was finished the fair performer retired from the instrument amid enthusiastic applause. Mr. Richards was astounded.