Helen appeared bereft of words and retreated to her place almost mildly.

Philippa's very delicate eyebrows were drawn together in a slight frown.
"You are acquainted with our names, then ?" "Perfectly," was the suave reply.

"You, I presume, are Lady Cranston?
I may be permitted to add," he went on, looking at her steadfastly, "that the description from which I recognise you does you less than justice." "I find that remark, under the circumstances, impertinent," Philippa told him coldly.
He shrugged his shoulders.

There was a slight smile upon his lips and his eyes twinkled.
"Alas!" he murmured, "for the moment I forgot the somewhat unusual circumstances of our meeting.

Permit me to offer you what I trust you will accept as the equivalent of a letter of introduction." "A letter of introduction," Philippa repeated, glancing at his disordered clothes, "and you come in through the window!" "Believe me," the intruder assured her, "it was the only way." "Perhaps you will tell me, then," Philippa demanded, her anger gradually giving way to bewilderment, "what is wrong with my front door ?" "For all I know, dear lady," the newcomer confessed, "yours may be an excellent front door.