> But if that is processed in nofill mode "Second line." is draw > at the beginning of the line! Should this be expected?
Yes. \L is like local motion (i.e., like \v, and also \D) -- it is restricted to the current output line, and beginning a new output line "forgets" it has happened. Try this: This is a \L'3v'test. Second line. Third line. Fourth line. Fifth line. Sixth line. Seventh line. Eight line. Ninth line. Tenth line. Eleventh line.