"
She was taking the difficulty into her own hands! He felt most thankful.
"Did you, Philippa? I thought you were engrossed with the gallant
captain."
"Did you really and in all truth mean what you said to her?" she asked.
"Certainly; you know me well enough to be quite sure that I never say
what I do not mean."
"You have never yet seen the woman whom you would ask to be your wife?"
she said.
There was a brief silence, and then he replied:
"No, in all truth, I have not, Philippa."
A little bird was singing on a swaying bough just above them--to the
last day of her life it seemed to her that she remembered the notes. The
sultry silence seemed to deepen. She broke it.
"But, Norman," she said, in a low voice, "have you not seen me?"
He tried to laugh to hide his embarrassment, but it was a failure.
"I have seen you--and I admire you. I have all the affection of a
brother for you, Philippa--" and then he paused abruptly.
"But," she supplied, "you have never thought of making me your wife?
Speak to me quite frankly, Norman."
"No, Philippa, I have not."
"As matters stand between us, they require explanation," she said; and
he saw her lips grow pale.
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