"I do not understand, Philippa," he repeated.

"Did you really take all my pretty balcony scene in earnest last night?"
she asked.

"I did indeed," he replied; and again the clear musical laugh, seemed to
astonish him.

"I could not have believed it, Norman," she said. "Did you really think
I was in earnest?"

"Certainly I did. Were you not?"

"No," she answered.

"Then I thank Heaven for it," he said, "for I have been very unhappy
about you. Why did you say so much if you did not mean it, Philippa?"

"Because you annoyed me by pleading the cause of the duke. He had no
right to ask you to do such a thing, and you were unwise to essay such a
task. I have punished you by mystifying you--I shall next punish him."

"Then you did not mean all that you said?" he interrogated, still
wondering at this unexpected turn of events.

"I should have given you credit for more penetration, Norman," she
replied. "I to mean such nonsense--I to avow a preference for any man!
Can you have been so foolish as to think so? It was only a charade,
acted for your amusement."