42

But he was nowhere to be seen, and she saw that Mrs. Blunt was impatient.

“If you please,” she said, timidly, “might I just wait a few minutes to say good-by to a gentleman who has been very kind to me?”

“Lor’, child! it’ll be no use; you’ll never find him, and almost everybody has gone already. Probably he’s in the hands of the customs, having his trunks overhauled, and won’t want to be bothered,” Mrs. Blunt returned, good-naturedly, but really very anxious to get back to her interrupted duties.

“But he has no trunks; he was on the wreck with me, and he told me to wait here for him,” Star persisted, almost ready to weep at the thought of going without seeing him.

“I’m sorry, miss, but madam will be having one of her tantrums if I am not back shortly, as there’s company to dinner to-day, and it’s nearly ten o’clock now,” Mrs. Blunt, returned, a trifle indifferently.

She turned as she spoke and led the way from the place, and Star was forced to follow her, striving hard to repress the sobs that were struggling in her bosom over her disappointment; and when, half an hour later, Mr. Rosevelt came to seek her, he was as much disturbed to find her gone as she had been to go.

He made inquiries regarding her, and was told that some one had come for her and taken her away, but no one knew whither she had gone.

This relieved his mind somewhat as to her safety, but did not lessen his disappointment at thus losing sight of her and not knowing where to seek for her; but he was forced to go his way and bear it as he could.

Mrs. Blunt and her sad-hearted charge walked quickly from the steamer, and having no baggage, she immediately called a 43carriage, and hurrying Star into it, gave her order to be driven to a Brooklyn ferry.

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Crossing the river, they took another carriage, and a half hour’s drive brought them to a stately dwelling in a fashionable portion of the city.

“There, child!” Mrs. Blunt ejaculated, as the carriage stopped; “we’re home, and I’m glad of it, for you’ve caused me a heap of anxiety first and last, or I’m much mistaken; but you’re safe and sound, thank Heaven, though you’re rather delicate-looking for what I imagine is before you;” this “much mistaken” individual 

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