At the same time she did not see why she should remain as a target for her step-mother's invective, and she had just decided upon departure when Bliss, the butler, opened the door with his own peculiarly quiet flourish and announced, "Captain Preston!" A clean-shaven little man, with a horsey appearance about the legs which evening-dress wholly failed to conceal, entered, and instinctively Sylvia rose to receive him.
Mrs.Ingleton stopped short and stared as they met in the middle of the room.
"Hullo, Sylvia!" said the little man, and stamped forward as if he had just dismounted after a long ride.

He had a loud voice and an assertive manner, and Mrs.Ingleton gazed at him in frozen surprise.
Sylvia turned towards her.

"May I introduce Mr.Preston--the M.F.H. ?" Her tone was cold.

If the newcomer's advent had been a welcome diversion it obviously gave her no pleasure.
Preston, however, plainly did not stand in need of any encouragement.

He strode up to Mrs.Ingleton, confronting her with aggressive self-assurance, "Delighted to meet you, madam.