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 advanced, extending a well-gloved hand in elaborate greeting.

Philippa smiled with animation and held up her jewelled fingers to the lingering and meaning kiss of the new arrival. She colored a little, which lent an unexpected ingénue expression to the consummate artificiality of her pose. The trick of blushing, really due to the physical perfection and delicacy of her skin, passed with all save Victoria and a few rather amusedly cynical men for a sympathetically emotional expression of her innocent young soul.

A short, rather troubled silence ensued, which he broke abruptly, tossing a square box into her lap.

"See the wonders of love, my lady. I divined what robe you would wear, and I matched it on my way here."

She thanked him with her eyes, and poutingly fumbled with the string.

"Permit me," he murmured, and leaning over her till his auburn hair touched her cheek, deliberately cut the ribbon with his tiny gold-handled 77