To his amazement he found himself confronted by Catherine.
"Close the door," she begged.

"Come into your sitting room." She pushed past him and he obeyed, still dumb with surprise and the shock of his sudden awakening.

Catherine herself seemed unaware of his unusual costume, reckless of the hour and the strangeness of her visit.
She wore a long chinchilla coat, covering her from head to foot, and a mantilla veil about her head, which partially obscured her features.
As soon as she raised it, he knew that great things had happened.

Her cheeks were the colour of ivory, and her eyes unnaturally distended.

Her tone was steady but full of repressed passion.
"Julian," she cried, "we have been deceived--tricked! I have come to you for help.