This gave a darker hue to the thin mustache and the trim imperial, through which she caught a glint of white teeth, in what seemed half a smile and half a snarl.

The hair was parted almost in the centre, a little to the right, and but for the pebbled shadows about the sunken, yet still bright eyes, he would be called a youthful-looking man.

She understood why women would always speak of him as a handsome man.
"I am sorry, but I was compelled to force the bolt," he said, slowly, with his enigmatic smile.
She still looked at him in silence, from under lowered brows.

Her fingers were locking and unlocking nervously.
"And to what do I owe this visit ?" he demanded mockingly.

He was quite close to her by this time.
She took a step backward.