They talked of her home, Verdun Royal; they talked of Beechgrove, and his plans for living there.

Their conversation was the intimate exchange of thought of old friends; but there was nothing of love.

If she had expected that he would avail himself of Lady Peters' absence to speak of it, she was mistaken.

He talked of old times, of friendship, of childhood's days, of great hopes and plans for the future--of anything but love.

It seemed to be and perhaps was the farthest from his thoughts.
"I am going to Beechgrove in a week," he said; "you will give me permission to call and see you every day, Philippa ?" "I shall be pleased to see you--my time is yours," she answered but he did not understand the full meaning of the words.
Then Lady Peters came in and asked if he would join them at dinner.
"Philippa likes gayety," she said; "we have never had one quiet evening since the season began; she has a ball for to-night." "Yes," laughed the heiress; "the world is very sweet to me just now, Norman; but I will give up my ball and stay at home purposely to sing to you, if you will dine with us." "That is a temptation I cannot resist," he returned.