CHAPTER IX.
"Captain Griffiths to see your ladyship." Philippa's fingers rested for a moment upon the keyboard of the piano before which she was seated, awaiting Lessingham's arrival.

Then she glanced at the clock.

It was ten minutes to eight.
"You can show him in, Mills, if he wishes to see me." Captain Griffiths was ushered into the room--awkward, unwieldly, nervous as usual.

He entered as though in a hurry, and there was nothing in his manner to denote that he had spent the last few hours making up his mind to this visit.
"I must apologise for this most untimely call, Lady Cranston," he said, watching the closing of the door.

"I will not take up more than five minutes of your time." "We are very pleased to see you at any time, Captain Griffiths," Philippa said hospitably.