Now that he had found it, he was determined not to lose it--not for fifty Lord Arleighs.

So, while the duchess talked to the new-comer, he relentlessly pursued his conversation with Miss L'Estrange.
There was but one music in the world for her, and that was the music of Lord Arleigh's voice.

Nothing could ever drown that for her.

The band was playing, the captain talking, the duchess conversing, in her gay, animated fashion; but above all, clearly and distinctly, Philippa heard every word that fell from Lord Arleigh's lips, although he did not know it.

He believed that she was, as she seemed to be, listening to the captain.
"I have pleasing news concerning you, Lord Arleigh," said the duchess.
"I wonder if I may congratulate you ?" "What is it?
I do not know of anything very interesting concerning myself," he remarked--"nothing, I am sure, that calls for congratulation." "You are modest," said the duchess; "but I have certainly heard, and on good authority, too, that you are about to be married." "I can only say I was not in the least aware of it," he rejoined.
The duchess raised her parasol and looked keenly at him.
"Pray pardon me," she continued; "do not think that it is from mere curiosity that I ask the question.