Wife in Name Only

urn, if he had wooed her as others did, she would have been less empressée. As it was, he was the only man she had not conquered, the only one who resisted her, on whom her fascinations

offer of marriage--she had refused him. The Marquis of Langland, the great match of the day, had made her an offer, which she had declined. The Italian Prince Cetti would have given his possessions to take her back with him to hi

men, always being compelled, in the end, to own that she excelled. If Lord Arleigh talked, or danced, or showed attention to any lady, she would critically examine her claim to int

r? That her beauty was irresistible. It might be that he did care for her, that he intended to carry out his mother's favorite scheme, but that he was in no hurry, that he wanted her and himself to see plenty of life first. It was easier, after all, to believe that than to think that she ha

hers had wished the alliance. Why did she fail? why did he not love her? It seemed to her that she was the one person in all the world to whom

ly told her his ideas about women, sh

ed with kindness, with thoughtful consideration for him, that the wonder was he did not succumb. "I must find out," she said

spect for them, were greater than she had seen in any other, and she loved him for these qualities. The more she con

nd ball, to which, as belle of t

" she asked of

ly decided,"

I do not care to waltz with every o

waltzing with m

answer sufficient. He coul

promised herself on that evening she would try to

two things were very different. Her dress looked brilliant, being of a silvery texture; t

e was a flush of rose-color on her face, a light in her eyes. If ever woman's face told a sto

her mirror. The tall, stately figure in the glorious dress was perfe

ght. "If I can but remind him of those childis

t reception of their compliments to the fact that she was not even attending to them, but with her whole soul in her eyes was watching for Lord Arleigh's arrival. The duke even flattered him

him. He was but mortal, and he could not help seeing the dark eyes shine, the scarlet lips tre

s on the wooing of women, she hastened to add--"impatient at the want of novelty

leigh l

o perform--to please their partners and amuse themselves. You would not have a '

arks to make. You talk well, Norman, and list

aid, and he took the pret

hilippa. I shall expect to have a doz

, as the music of the irresistib

is arm was round her, his eyes smiling down into hers. With youth,

, he asked her i

playing of a fountain in the fer

mps glowed like stars, and the cool rippling water fell with a musical rhythm into the deep basin below. They could hear the dist

said to herself, "he

you like my dress?" she added, anxious to bring him to the one subject she had at hear

w. It is a wonderful dress, Philippa; in the light it looks like moonbeams, in the shade l

ike it, Norman--

ippa, not even in jest

d. "I took pains with my toilet, Norman, to

said Lord Arleigh; "we wil

er disdain. "I might as well wish for one of the