If Lord Arleigh talked, or danced, or showed attention to any lady, she would critically examine her claim to interest, whether she was beautiful, mentally gifted, graceful.

But Philippa detected another thing--if Lord Arleigh did not love her, it was at least certain that he loved no one else.
The whole world was spoiled for her because she had not this man's love.
She desired it.

Her beauty, her wealth, her talents, her grace, were all as nothing, because with them she could not win him.

Then, again, she asked herself, could it be that she could not win him?
What had men told her?
That her beauty was irresistible.

It might be that he did care for her, that he intended to carry out his mother's favorite scheme, but that he was in no hurry, that he wanted her and himself to see plenty of life first.