"I am going to Beechgrove in a week," he said; "you will give me
permission to call and see you every day, Philippa?"
"I shall be pleased to see you--my time is yours," she answered but he
did not understand the full meaning of the words.
Then Lady Peters came in and asked if he would join them at dinner.
"Philippa likes gayety," she said; "we have never had one quiet evening
since the season began; she has a ball for to-night."
"Yes," laughed the heiress; "the world is very sweet to me just now,
Norman; but I will give up my ball and stay at home purposely to sing to
you, if you will dine with us."
"That is a temptation I cannot resist," he returned. "I will come. All
your disappointed partners will, however, vent their wrath on me,
Philippa."
"I can bear it," she said, "and so can you. Now I can let you go more
willingly, seeing that I shall soon see you again."
And then he went away. After he had gone she spoke but little; once she
clasped her arms round Lady Peters' neck and kissed the kindly face.
"Do not speak to me," she said, "lest I should lose the echo of his
voice;" and Lady Peters watched her anxiously, as she stood with a rapt
smile on her face, as of one who has heard celestial music in a dream.
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