But we will not talk of
failure. Oh, _maman_, there he is."
How she loved him! At the sound of his footsteps a crimson glow shone in
her face, a light shone in the depth of her splendid dark eyes; the
scarlet lips trembled. She clenched her fingers lest a sound that might
betray her should escape her.
"Lord Arleigh," announced a servant at the door.
Tall, stately, self-possessed, she went forward to greet him. She held
out her hand; but words failed her, as she looked once more into the
face she loved so well.
"Philippa!" cried the visitor, in tones of wonder. "I expected to find
you changed, but I should not have known you."
"Am I so greatly altered?" she asked.
"Altered?" he repeated, "I left you a pretty school-girl--I find you a
queen." He bowed low over the white hand.
"The queen bids you welcome," she said, and then after introducing Lady
Peters, she added: "Should you not really have known me, Norman?"
He had recovered from his first surprise, and Lady Peters, who watched
him closely, fancied that she detected some little embarrassment in his
manner. Of one thing she was quite sure--there was admiration and
affection in his manner, but there was nothing resembling love.
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