Stella Rosevelt — page 261: what you’re looking at

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

WHAT NEXT? 255 ‘No, indeed,” Star answered, laughing. ‘‘But you dont mean to tell me that you consider me your mistress. ”’ ‘‘T never'd ask for a better,” the woman said, earnestly ; then, turning to Mr. Rosevelt, she resumed: ‘‘And now, sir, won't you please eat your lunch and tell the rest of the story afterward, for everything will be spoiled waiting, ” ‘‘ Yes, indeed—yes, indeed ; to be sure we will. There, Miss Gladstone, sit down by your tea-urn, and make me the best cup of tea that was ever brewed, while I serve you to some of that tempting salad.” He forced her gently into her chair, and going around to the opposite side of the table, began to wait upon her in the most chivalrous manner. ‘*Ah! this is what I call comfort, dear,” he said, in a satisfied tone, after Mrs. Blunt had withdrawn to see that the straw- berries and cream were properly served; ‘‘this is what I have been dreaming about for a whole year; and now, after we have appeased our hunger—and, by the way, I believe I am half- famished, or else Mrs. Blunt’s efforts in the culinary line are wonderfully successful—we will go over the house, and see if everything suits you. What are you looking at the clock for? Your school days are over, Miss Gladstone.” Star laughed somewhat nervously, and flushed. ‘‘T was looking to see how many hours would elapse before the clock would strike twelve, and wondering if it would dis- solve the spell that is on me.” ‘“No fear of that, Starling. ‘The hours, days, and months, and years, I trust, will roll by and bring you only joy and pleasure, with no rude awaking. You are to have everything that you want—and mind, by that I do not mean just what you necd, and have you stop to count the cost on those pretty fingers of yours, as I have seen you do so often. You shall have music and painting to your heart’s content. You shall Gomilcbooks.G