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She was almost through when the door flew open and shut again with a bang and Louie Howe threw herself on the floor clasping Phillipa's knees, her eyes distraught with terror. "Oh, isn't it horrible!" she almost shrieked. "Those boys had malignant scarlet fever! That one was dying the girl held up, he was choking awfully, and at nine o'clock the other one died. It's all in the morning's paper.
"I have met the son," went on Lady Calverly. "Yes?" Phillipa's tone was one of absolute indifference. "He is a gentleman." "I have always heard of him as a solemn prig 'Old Steady' he was named at college. I confess I have no special leaning to these very proper and decorous youths." "Do not say that you are harping still on that old affair. I assure you Gilly Jillingham is unworthy of you.
Then with a sad, scared face, motioning Phillipa on one side, who, equally white and grief-stricken, would have helped her, she crept slowly upstairs, feeling that at one blow the whole fabric of her social repute was tumbled in the dust. The lights were out, the play was over, the house still and silent, when, with loud shrieks, Mrs. Purling's maid rushed to Phillipa's room. "Mrs.
Purling, in Phillipa's presence, made a great parade of burning her will. "He has brought it all on himself, unnatural boy! But you, darling Phillipa, will never treat me thus. Noblesse oblige. The bright blue blood that fills your veins would curdle at a mésalliance, I know." Mrs. Purling was quite calm and self-possessed, while Miss Fanshawe, strange to say, seemed agitated enough for both.
If scandal like an evil gas had been let loose to crystallise upon Phillipa's good name, the black stains could not adhere long to so charming a person, who made the Purling mansion in Berkeley Square one of the best-frequented and most fashionable in town. There were many reasons why the Jillinghams should find their account in perpetual junketings.
Christmas came on the following Monday. The Miss Kirklands were going to remain and devote the time to study. Alice Nevins and Elma Ransome had no homes to go to at present. Mrs. Barrington generally took this for a resting-up time. Louie rushed into Phillipa's room, breathless and eyes full of wonder. There was some fancy things strewn around. Phil and Zaidee were at some gifts. "What now?
"We might go to a colony." "I can fancy you in the bush!" "Anything would be preferable to the false, hollow life I lead. I want rest. I could pray for it. I long to lay my head peacefully where " "Wherever you please. Try Mr. Purling's shoulder. You have my full permission." Phillipa's eyes flashed fire at this heartless persiflage. "There is no such luck." "Can he dare to be indifferent?
Her hands trembled, she looked away; only with positive repugnance she submitted to her new mother's affectionate embrace. A woman who is capable of the most cold-blooded calculating intrigue may yet have an access of remorse. Phillipa's heart was heavy now at the moment of her triumph.
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