Stella Rosevelt — page 279: what you’re looking at

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

DEFEATED. 273 CHAPTER XXVII. DEFEATED, When they were within a few feet of the upper door, Mrs. Richards stepped toward them and stood directly in their path. The hall was nearly empty, almost everybody being in the parlors or the dancing-hall, so there was no one by Just at that moment to witness what transpired. ‘¢What does this mean?’ Mrs, Richards demanded, in a low but authoritative tone. ‘‘Stella Gladstone, hcw is it that I find you here? Uncle Jacob, where have you been all this time, and what strange freak of fortune brings you here in this un- accountable fashion?” Mr. Rosevelt started slightly on beholding his niece standing in that excited attitude directly in his path; while Star grew pale at first; for she had always stood somewhat in fear of the arrogant woman while she was an inmate of her house. But remembering. that everthing was entirely different now, she quickly recovered herself. } But for all that, she clung a little more closely to Mr. Rose- velt’s arm, as if she was glad that he was there, though in no other way did she betray how disagreeable this encounter was to her, or appear as if she had ever met them before. ‘‘ Tell me what this means?” Mrs. Richards repeated, look- ing from one to the other, noting Sar’s delicate beauty with a pang of bitter jealousy, her self-possession and grace; Mr. Rose- velt's improved appearance, his rich apparel, and more than all, the air of pride and fondness which pervaded every look and attention which he bestowed upon his companion, (eteyaniiel oveto) <s (E(0)