Who would
have thought in those days that Philippa would live to be a duchess, and
that he should so wildly worship, so madly love a fairer, younger face?
He was made welcome at Verdun Royal. Lady Peters received him as though
he were her own son. Then the duchess entered, with a glad light in her
eyes, and a smile that was half wistful. She greeted him warmly; she was
pleased to see him--pleased to welcome him; the whole house was at his
service, and everything in it. He had never seen the duchess look
better; she wore her favorite colors, amber and white.
"I have attended to your wishes, Norman," she said; "you must not blame
me if you are dull. I have asked no one to meet you."
"There is no fear of my ever being dull here, Philippa," he returned.
"You forget that I am almost as much at home as you are yourself. I can
remember when I looked upon coming to Verdun Royal as coming home."
A shadow of pain crossed her face at this reference to those early,
happy days. Then he summoned up courage, and said to her:
"Where is your fair companion, Philippa?"
"She is somewhere about the grounds," replied the duchess.
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