Stella Rosevelt — page 334: what you’re looking at

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

328 | MUTUAL EXPLANATIONS. Lord Carrol looked thoughtful and disappointed at this in- telligence. . ‘‘I must wait, then,” he said, with a sigh, ‘‘until their re- turn. The time will seem very long, although I am greatly needed here just now, and it would be much to my own dis- advantage were I to leave before my affairs are in a more settled state; but I should let no pecuniary consideration deter me from going to Star if I was sure I should find her. However, TI must submit to the inevitable; and now, Mr. Meredith,” he concluded, with a genial smile, ‘‘ what can I do to make your sta, in our city pleasant? Iam at your disposal for any length of time.” “Thank you, my lord. My business will not permit my tarrying much longer just now; but I intend to return to Lon- don in the course of three or four months, and shall hope to meet you again then,” Ralph answered. | ‘‘T shall most certainly see to it that we do meet again,” Lord Carrol returned; ‘‘and now, if you have no engagement for to-morrow, will you do me the honor to dine with me?” ‘‘It will give me great pleasure todoso. I have no other engagement, Mr. Meredith returned. He was growing to admire Star Gladstone’s handsome lover exceedingly, notwithstanding the fact that he was his own rival. ‘“Thanks. Now come with me and let me introduce you to my mother and sister, who are both here at Stamfield House; and, Mr. Meredith,” the young lord added, grasping his hand again, and speaking with emotion, ‘‘I cannot be sufficiently grateful to you, for you have put new life and hope into my heart to-night.” Ralph tried to feel generously glad for this, but it was not in human nature not to experience a pang over the happiness which he knew was in store for him, especially when he knew, too, that it would be at the expense of his own. Gomicbooks, Go