The next minute saw him seated in the cool, shady _boudoir_, where the mellow light came in, rose-filtered through the silken blinds, and the perfumed air was sweet.

Lady Peters, full of solicitude, was there, with the iced claret cup, thinking he was tired and-warm.

It was so like home that he could not help feeling happy.
Presently Lady Peters retired for a few minutes, and in came Philippa.
She had changed her riding-costume for a white silk _neglige_ that fell round her in loose, graceful folds.

She wore no flowers, jewels, or ribbons, but the dark masses of her hair were unfastened, and hung round the white neck; there was a warm, bright flush on her face, with the least touch of languor in her manner.

She threw herself back in her lounging chair, saying, with a dreamy smile: "You see that I make no stranger of you, Norman." From beneath the white silken folds peeped a tiny embroidered slipper; a jeweled fan lay near her, and with it she gently stirred the perfumed air.