"How beautiful the duchess is!" she continued.

"I have often looked at her till her face seemed to dazzle me." "I know some one who is far more beautiful in my eyes," he returned.
"Norman," she said, half hesitatingly, "do you know one thing that I have thought so strange ?" "No, I have not been trusted with many of your thoughts yet," he returned.
"I have wondered so often why you never fell in love with the duchess." "Fate had something better in store for me," he said, laughing.
She looked surprised.
"You cannot mean that you really think I am better than she is, Norman ?" "I do think it, darling; ten thousand times better--ten thousand times fairer in my eyes." "Norman," she said, a sudden gleam of memory brightening her face; "I had almost forgotten--the duchess gave me this for you; I was to be sure to give it to you before the sun set on our wedding-day." She held out a white packet sealed securely, and he took it wonderingly.
He tore off the outer cover, and saw, written on the envelope: "A wedding present from Philippa, Duchess of to Lord Arleigh.

To be read alone on his wedding-day.".