Other lovers take his place by her side, but as usual she is calm and cold to all.
She is done with love and lovers, she tells herself with sad self-pity.
All her future life will lie in the dun, gray twilight of sorrow.
"As the blade wears the scabbard,
The billow the shore;
So sorrow doth fret me
Forevermore!"
It is late in the evening before Colonel Lockhart ventures to address her.
Then something in her glance has drawn him to her side, in spite of his determination not to intrude upon her.
Lady Eva Clarendon and Miss Montgomery are present, and both have laid some claims to his attention. In spite of herself, Lady Vera cannot keep the pain out of her eyes, and Philip, watching her with the keenness of love, is quick to see it. In a moment he is by her side.
"Will you promenade with me?" he asks, deferentially.
A sudden smile of irrepressible pleasure lights the beautiful face. She loves him dearly, and it is so hard to give him up.