He is young, handsome,
noble in face and figure as he is in heart and soul; and he is clever
and gifted."
"Yes," she allowed, slowly, "he is all that, Norman."
"Some day or other he will be the leading spirit in the land; he will
be the head of a great party."
"That I believe," she agreed.
"And he loves you so well, Philippa; I have never seen a man more
devoted. How many years has he loved you now--two or three? And he tells
me that he shall go unmarried to the grave unless you consent to be his
wife."
"Did he tell you that? He must indeed be attached to me," she observed.
"Norman, did he ask you to say all this to me?"
"He asked me to plead his cause," replied Lord Arleigh.
"Why did he ask you to do so?"
"Because--believing us to be what we really are, Philippa, tried and
true friends--he thought I should have some influence over you."
"Clever duke!" she said. "Norman, are you well versed in modern poetry?"
He looked up in blank surprise at the question--it was so totally
unexpected.
"In modern poetry?" he repeated. "Yes, I think I am. Why, Philippa?"
"I will tell you why," she said, turning her beautiful face to him.
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