As it was, he would not have believed any one who had told him she loved him.
The explanation had been made; there was no longer even a shadow between them; they both understood that the weak, nonsensical tie was broken.
That they were the dearest of friends, and quite happy, would have been Lord Arleigh's notion of matters.

Philippa L'Estrange might have told a different story.
The proposed party at Beechgrove did not come off.

There were some repairs needed in the eastern wing, and Lord Arleigh himself had so many engagements, that no time could be found for it; but when the season came round Philippa and he met again.
By this time some of Miss L'Estrange's admirers had come to the conclusion that there was no truth in the report of the engagement between herself and Lord Arleigh.

Among these was his grace the Duke of Hazlewood.

He loved the beautiful, queenly girl who had so disdainfully refused his coronet--the very refusal had made him care more than ever for her.