"I should be so glad, Norman," she said to him, "if you would give me a
few riding-lessons. I am sure I need them."

He looked at the graceful figure, at the little hands that held the
reins so deftly.

"I do not see what there is to teach you," he observed; "I have never
seen any one ride better."

"Still I should be glad of some little instruction from you," she said.
"I always liked riding with you, Norman."

"I shall be only too pleased to ride with you every day when I am in
town," he told her; and, though he spoke kindly, with smiling lips,
there was no warmth of love in his tone.

The day was very warm--the sun had in it all the heat of June. When they
reached Verdun House, Philippa said:

"You will come in for a short time, Norman? You look warm and tired.
Williams--the butler--is famous for his claret-cup."

He murmured something about being not fatigued, but disinclined for
conversation.

"You will not see any one," she said; "you shall come to my own
particular little room, where no one dares enter, and we will have a
quiet conversation there."

It seemed quite useless to resist her. She had a true siren power of