"It seems strange," he went on, "that your mother and mine, after being such true friends in life, should die within a few days of each other.

I would give the whole world to see my mother again.

I shall find Beechgrove so lonely without her." "I always recognize a good man," put in Lady Peters, "by the great love he bears his mother." Lord Arleigh smiled.
"Then you think I am a good man ?" he interrogated.

"I hope, Lady Peters, that I shall never forfeit your good opinion." "I do not think it likely," said her ladyship.
Philippa grew impatient on finding his attention turned, even for a few moments, from herself.
"Talk to me, Norman," she said; "tell me of your travels--of what you have seen and done--of the new friends you have made." "I have made no new friends, Philippa," he said; "I love the old ones best." He did not understand the triumphant expression of the dark eyes as they glanced at Lady Peters.

He told her briefly of the chief places that he had visited, and then he said: "What a quantity of flowers you have, Philippa! You still retain your old love." She took a spray of lilac from one of the vases and held it before him.
Again Lady Peters noted confusion on his face.
"Do you remember the lilac, and what you said about it ?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied, "I was in Florence last year when they were in flower, and I never looked at the beautiful blooming trees without fancying that I saw my cousin's face among the blossoms." "Why do you call me 'cousin ?'" she asked, impatiently.
He looked up in surprise.
"You are my cousin, are you not, Philippa ?" "I am only your second cousin," she said; "and you have never called me so before." "I have always called you 'cousin' in my thoughts," he declared.