Josephine’s attitude toward him was one of proud disdain, although once she professed great friendship for him; but now he was nothing more than an aged, decrepit man—a sort of “cumberer of the ground,” and simply tolerated because it would be considered inhuman to cast him out at that time of life. In September Mrs. Richards and her daughter went to Long Branch for a change, leaving the household in charge of Mrs. Blunt. Star began school again, going back and forth by rail, as the town house would not be opened again until October. This made it hard for her, because she was obliged to go so early and return so late; but as her comfort was not a matter which usually demanded much consideration, and she made no complaint, the fact remained unnoticed. During the absence of the family, Mr. Rosevelt frequented the house, for it was much more comfortable through those hot September days than his contracted room at the lodge, and he was glad to avail himself of the privilege of the well-stocked library to while away the long hours of Star’s absence. In the evening she would entertain him with her music, while on Saturday they both felt like children out of school; and thus day by day they grew to feel a deep affection for each other. “She at least does not love me for my money,” the old man would often mutter to himself, with a grim smile, after receiving some thoughtful attention from the young girl; “her affection is sincere and disinterested, and I pray that her gentle heart may never become seared and hardened by the cold world.” He had long ago learned just how Star was regarded by the family, and how they had attempted to degrade her to the level of a common servant, and this did not tend to make him entertain any deeper respect for them. His information on this point he had gathered chiefly from Mrs. Blunt. Star would not talk about it, always evading or changing the subject in a dextrous way that amused him in no small degree. Meanwhile Josephine and her mother were flourishing among the fashionable at Long Branch. The season proved to be a very gay one; every hotel was crowded, and many noted people from various countries were sojourning there. Among others, the Richardses heard upon their arrival, there was a young English lord of great reputed wealth, having, it was said, the largest rent-roll in Derbyshire, England. “They say he is the handsomest man in the place, as well as the richest,” Josephine said to her mother, the night after their arrival at the gay watering-place, having heard this piece of news, with much else, from an intimate friend. “All the girls are wild about him,” she pursued. “Annie Falkner was introduced to him yesterday, and says he is as charming in conversation as he is in appearance.” “How old is he?” asked Mrs. Richards, pricking up her maternal ears at once over this wonderful information.