“Yes, sir; and it is one which I shall always remember with great pleasure,” she said, with a tremulous smile that he did not then understand. “I thank you,” she added, “for allowing me to go on with my music, and I will be very faithful in improving my opportunity; but—I think, if you please, I will not mind about the painting at present. I am very fond of it, but—I——” “Very well; do as you choose,” he said, as he saw she was somewhat embarrassed. “You are to have all the advantages you desire during the next year, and you are to do no more work of any kind in this house——” “Oh, but I like to work about the house,” she began, eagerly; but he stopped her authoritatively. “No; I will not have it. You need all the time you can get for study and practice. Maggie Flynn, or some other Maggie, shall come back as chamber and waiting-maid, and you are to remember it is my command that you do nothing of the kind. If you have any spare time, use it in making the pretty things which young ladies of your age like so much. Here is something to begin upon, and I will allow you the same amount every month;” and he tucked a bill of no mean denomination into her hand as he concluded. He did not wait to hear her thanks, but turned abruptly away, feeling very tenderly toward this sweet young maiden, who had lived such an isolated, neglected life in the midst of that household of luxury. Star looked after him with a glorified face. “Oh, what a birthday!” she said, as she went up stairs and shut herself into her room. She folded that precious bill—more money than she had ever possessed before at one time—for “pretty things,” and laid it safely away in a drawer; then she took up a handsomely bound book that lay on her table. “A red letter day!” she murmured. “My success—my promotion—his kindness, and, above all, this beautiful book—it all seems to be too lovely to be real.” She raised the volume and softly touched her lips to it; then bowing her golden head, her heart overcharged with its unaccustomed weight of happiness, found relief in a shower of tears. “The book” was the package, devoid of its wrapper, which the strange gentleman had given her in the presence of Mr. Richards. * * * * * The next morning’s papers contained an interesting account of the commencement exercises of —— Seminary, together with a copy in full of Miss Stella Gladstone’s essay, and speaking in very flattering terms of its excellence as a literary production. Another important event occurred that morning. One of Mr. Richards’ driving horses was sold, and his wife, upon learning of the circumstance, lifted up her hands and scornfully exclaimed: “Retrenchment!” CHAPTER IX. CHANGE OF FORTUNE.