Stella Rosevelt — page 156: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

150 A FATAL MISTAKE. you do not like, my darling,” he said, very gently, but looking a trifle grave, she thought. ‘‘Then please let me go—Archie, for I know Uncle Jacob is wondering why it takes me so long to get out of the carriage, and—and ever so many people are looking at us,” Star said, wishing she could hide her hot cheeks, and realizing, if he did not, that he was holding her hands a great deal longer than there was any need of doing. A brilliant smile parted his lips as he released her, and she darted away just as a servant came forward to take the horse, he following more leisurely to give her time to recover herself a little. ‘“You have enjoyed your drive, little one?” Mr. Rosevelt asserted, questioningly, as she came and stood beside his chair, while he regarded her with a keen glance. ‘‘Very much, Uncle Jacob; and you—are you rested?” Star asked, eager to turn his attention from herself. ‘‘Entirely, and am as hungry as an old bear, too. These sea breezes have sharpened my appetite to a painful degree,” he replied, as if his hunger was the only subject which occupied his thoughts, while all the time he was watching her closely, and telling himself that there must be some cause more potent than ‘‘sea breezes” for her brilliant color and that tender light in her eyes. ‘‘T am delighted to hear it,” young Sherbrooke said, now joining them, ‘‘ for our tea is waiting for us, I am told, and we shall hae just about time enough to dispatch it comfortably before the boat is due.” They went in to an inviting meal, spread in a private room forthem. The young man had given an order to this effect before going to ride, as he had noticed that Star was annoyed at dinner by the attention which her lovely face had attracted. But it was noticeable that Mr. Rosevelt did most of the eat- Ing, for our lovers were in altogether too exalted a state for such Gomilebooks. Go