Archie, very likely, had taken the same train from New York that his lordship had intended to take, and on arriving had inquired of some one for the street and number that she had written on the card for him; the individual whom he asked might have known it was Mr. Richards’ residence—for he was well known there—directed him, and he, on learning the man’s errand, had probably, with his usual good nature, invited him to take a seat in his carriage, and had driven him home. Thus she reasoned with her aching, fear-burdened heart, clutching at this little ray of hope as a drowning man clutches at a straw. But he did not appear like a stranger to any of them; neither did Josephine seem like the disappointed girl she probably would have been if her expected lover had not arrived. She was chatting and laughing with him in the most friendly way; her face was glowing with happiness; her tones and her laughter were musical from very joy. With these doubts mingling with her sudden hope, Star leaned forward, eagerly listening for him to inquire for her; but the words which came floating up to her smote her heart with a deadly pain, drove the color back again from her face, and made the love-light in her eyes change to a look of mortal agony and despair. “My lord,” Mrs. Richards said, graciously, “we will not keep you standing here; the drawing-room, where we have other friends waiting to meet you, is more inviting, and our dinner will soon be served.” And my lord, with his most charming smile and bow, replied: “Mrs. Richards, you have given me a most hospitable welcome to your delightful home, and I shall be happy to meet your friends;” and giving his arm to Josephine, he followed his hostess within, to be presented to the other guests who had been invited to meet him. All hope was gone now—they had called him Lord Carrol and he had replied, and, stricken with despair, Star slipped from her chair like one from which all life had been suddenly smitten, and fell prone upon the floor, where she lay in a semiconscious state for more than an hour. But when at length thought and feeling began to return to her, she wondered if she were herself or some one else who had lived through a century of misery—youth and happiness, joy and hope seemed to be attributes of an age so long gone by.