A new tenseness seemed to have crept into the situation.

The conversation, never without its emotional tendencies, at once changed its character.

Philippa, cold and reserved, with a threat lurking all the time in her tone and manner, became its guiding spirit.
"We may enquire your name ?" she asked.
"I am the Baron Maderstrom," was the prompt reply.

"For the purpose of my brief residence in this country, however, I fancy that the name of Mr.Hamar Lessingham might provoke less comment." "Maderstrom," Philippa repeated.

"You were at Magdalen with my brother." "For three terms," he assented.
"You have visited at Wood Norton.