She had passed beyond it and out into the warm firelit room before she realised that there was another occupant.

Someone stood up from the couch by the fireplace as she came towards it.

Fate had been on her side for once.
The person was Captain Langrishe.
"My sister will not be very long, Miss Drummond," he began, in a tone he tried in vain to make indifferent.

"I hope you won't mind waiting in my company." Mind waiting, indeed! To Nelly, as to himself, the seconds were precious ones.

Mrs.Rooke was shopping on that particular afternoon.