Against the black oak of the chimneypiece she had almost the appearance of a framed cameo.

Her voice was quite steady, although its inflection betrayed some indignation.
"Will you kindly explain who you are and what you mean by this extraordinary behaviour ?" she demanded.
"It is my earnest intention to do so without delay," he assured her, his eyes apparently rivetted upon Philippa.

"Kindly pardon me." He held out his arm to stop Helen, who, with her eye upon the bell, had made a stealthy attempt to slip past him.

Her eyes flashed as she felt his fingers upon her arm.
"How dare you attempt to stop me!" she exclaimed.
"My dear Miss Fairclough," he remonstrated, "in the interests of all of us, it is better that we should have a few moments of undisturbed conversation.

I am taking it for granted that I have the pleasure of addressing Miss Fairclough ?" There was something about the man's easy confidence which was, in its way, impressive yet irritating.