Philippa's face had become almost stony.
She took a step towards the telephone.

Lessingham, however, held out his hand.
"Your purpose ?" he enquired.
"I am going to ring up the Commandant here," she told him, "and explain your presence in this house." "An heroic impulse," he observed, "but too impulsive." "We shall see," she retorted.

"Will you let me pass ?" His fingers restrained her as gently as possible.
"Let me make a reasonable appeal to both of you," he suggested.

"I am here at your mercy.

I promise you that under no circumstances will I attempt any measure of violence.