Part 4 (1/2)
”I was speaking neither of yourself nor the fair Belinda,” replies Jacques, with allantry
”There! please have done with co insincere, I know, char Philippa--pardon me, but your beautiful name betrays me constantly Is it not--like your voice--stolen from poetry or music?”
”Ah, sir, you are insufferable”
”Pardon, pardon--but in this beautiful and fair season, so full of flowers----”
”You think it necessary to e to say, but for heaven's sake have done”
Jacques bows
”I have just discarded the twentieth, Bel,” she adds, laughing; ”he got on his knees”
And Philippa laughs heartily
Jacques is used to his co, and says:
”Who was it, pray, madam--Mowbray?”
A flush passes over Philippa's face, and she looks away, o over the list of your admirers,” continues Jacques, sadly, ”they are too numerous; for who can wonder at such a fairy face as yours attracting crowds of lovers?”
”My fairy face? Yes, and my unhappy wealth, sir I wish I was poor! I can never knohen I am loved truly Oh, to know that!”
And a shadow passes over the face, obliterating the satire, and veiling the brilliant eyes Then with an effort Philippa drives away her preoccupation, and says:
”I wish Heaven had made me a man!”
”A man?” says Jacques
”Yes, sir”
”Pray why? Is there any young lady you would like to o far if that is the case”
And he glances tenderly at Belle-bouche, who smiles and blushes
”I wish to be a uardian, whoabout frourtha couldn't protect hwayhs
”But there are disadvantages connected with norant of theht”
”The prominent ones, if you please”
”You would have to make love--the active instead of passive, as at present”