Philippa is not like herself." Then he went in search of Lady Peters, whom he bewildered and astonished by telling her that it lay in her power to make him the happiest of men.
"That is what men say when they make an offer of marriage," she observed; "and I am sure you are not about to make one to me." "No; but, dear Lady Peters, I want you to help me marry some one else.
Will you go to the duchess?
She will tell you all about it." "Why not tell me yourself ?" she asked.
"She has better powers of persuasion," he replied, laughingly.
"Then I am afraid, if so much persuasion is required, that something wrong is on the _tapis_," said Lady Peters.

"I cannot imagine why men who have beautiful young wives go yachting.

It seems to me a terrible mistake." Lord Arleigh laughed.
"The duke's yachting has very little to do with this matter," he said.
"Lady Peters, before you listen to the duchess, let me make one appeal to you.

With all my heart I beseech you to grant the favor that she will ask." He bent his handsome head, and kissed her hand, while emotion rose to the lady's eyes.
"Is it something for you, Lord Arleigh ?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied, "for my own unworthy self." "Then I will do it if possible," she replied.
But when the Duchess of Hazlewood had told her what was needed, and had placed the whole matter before her, Lady Peters looked shocked.
"My dear Philippa," she said, "this is terrible.

I could not have believed it.