THE STORY-TELLER.

Waikato Times, Volume XI, Issue 882, 16 February 1878, Page 3

THE STORY-TELLER.

WIPE IN NAME ONLY. Bi/ the . author of Dora Thorne " "On Her WB'tniNO-MoBK," ' Rwdembb'd by Love," " A Woman * Wab* &o, &o. (Continued from our issue of the 9th insfr.y CHAPTER VII.

Philippa L'Estrange possessed that rare accomplishment among women, a graceful * 6eat' on horseback. Lord Arleigh could no help noticing the admiring glance* cast on her as tbey entered the park together. He saw how completely she was queen of s< ciety. Unusual homaye followed her. She was the observed of all observers ; all the men seemed to pause and look at her. Lord Arleigh heard repeatedly as they rode along, the question, 1 Who is that beautiful girl ?' Every one of note or distinction contrived to speak to her. Th c Prince of Auboine, at lhat time lhe most feted guest m England, could hardly . leave her. Yet, m the midst of all, Lord Arleigh saw that she turned to him us the sunflower to the sud. No n atter with whom she « ns conversing, she never for one moment forgot him, never seemed inattentive, listened to him, smiled her brightest on him, while the May.> sun shone, and. the white hawthorn flowers fell on the gr- ss — while the birds chirped merrily, and crowds of bright, h?ipp> pc >pl passed to and fro. ' How true she is to her old friends!' thought L>rd Arleigh, when -he -saw" that' even a prince could not take her a'tention from him. So they rqde on through the sunlit air^-he fancy free, ihe loving him every moment with deeper, <truer, warmer, love.* '• * 1 I should be 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 'fhe "little hands that held the reins so deftly. ' I do not' see what there is t° teach yon.,' he observed ; ' I hay© never seen any one ride be 1 ter.' * Still I should be glad of some little instruction from you,' she said. 'I always like riding with you,' Norman.' "'1 shall be only too pleased to ride with you every day when I am m town.' he told her ; and, though he spoke kindly, with smiling lips, there was no -warmth of love m his tone. The • day was very warm— the sun had m iii all the hea' of June. When they reached Verdun House, Philippa said — 'You will come m for a short time, Norman'? You look warm and tired. Williaths^ the butler— is famous for hit? cljaret, cup.' ,-,,, . He murmnred something about being not fatigued, but disinclined for conversation; ** ."" "" "' ■ ./ You will not*see'any one,' she said ; ' you shall come, tp my own particular little room, where no one . dares enter, and we will have a quiet conversation there.' It seemed quite useless to resist Tup. ahe had a' true siren power of jascin tion. The next niiipite saw ! him * seated m the cool, shady boudoir, where the meliow light. came m, rose-fil iced, .through the silken blinds, nnd the perfumed air was nweet. Lady Peters, full of soiicituiie, was there, wi h the iced cLiret-cup, thinking he was tired and warm. Il was so like' home that he could not help feeling happy. Piesently Lady Pet rs retired for a few minutes, and m came Philippa. She hud eh .uK. ed ,ler rioing-cosihme for a white silk neglige that- -fell round her m loos.c, graceful fol. s. She wore no flowers, jewels, or ribbon*, ' Ut the dark masses of her hair were unfastened,, and »««>g round tie *li.t n*£; there was a

with the least touch of langour m I her manner. She threw herself' back m her loungingichair, saying, Vith a dreamy smile — 'You see that I make no stranger of you, Norman.' C From beneath white silken fo'ds peeped a tiny embroidered slipper ; a jewelled fan lay near her, nnd with it she gently stirred the perfumed - ir. He watched her with admiring eyes. ' You look like a picture that I have seen, Philippa,' he said. ' What picture V she asked, with a smile. 1 1 cannot tell you, but lam quite sure that I h»ve seen one like you. What picture would you care to resemble f A sudden gleam of light came into her dark eyes. ' Ine one underneath which you would write ' My Queen,' ' bhe said ■ hurriedly. . He did not understand. • ' I think every one with an eye to bauty . would call you ' queen,' ' he observed, lightly. The graver meaning of her speech had quite escaped him. Then Lady Peers returned, and the conversation changed. *We are going to hear an opera bonffe to-night,' said Philippa, when Lord Arleigh was leaving. ' Will you come and be our escort V ' You will have a box filled with noisy chatterers the whole night,' he remarked, laughingly. 'They shall all make room for you, Norman, if you will come,' she said. 'It is Za Grande Duchesse, with the far-famed <Vladan<e Schneider as her Grace of Gerolstein. ' I have never heard it yet,' returned Lord Arleigh. ' I cannot say' that I have any great admiration for that school of music if you wish it, I will go Philippa.' ' It will increase my enjoyment a hundredfold,' she said, gently, 'if you go.' ' How can I refuse when you say that? I will be here punctually,' he promised ; and. again the tho ght crossed his mind how true she was to her old friends how indifferent to new ones ! On that evening Philippa changed her customary soyle of dress — it was no longer the favorite amber, so rich m hue and m iex«ure, but white gleaming silk, relieved by dashes of crimson. A more artistic or beautiful dress could not have been designed. She wore crimson roses m her dark hair, and a cluster of crimson roses on her white breast. JHer boquet was of the same odorous flowers. In tho theatre Lord Arleigh noticed that Pnilippa attracted more attention than anyone else, though the house was crowded ; he saw opora-glasses turned constantly towards her beautiful face. To be Continued.