Even an unwelcome caller at that moment was almost a relief to her.
"How nice of you to come and see me on such an afternoon, Captain Griffiths," she exclaimed, as they shook hands.

"Helen is over at the Canteen, Nora is hard at work for once in her life, and I seem most dolefully alone." Her visitor's reception of Philippa's greeting promised little in the way of enlivenment.

He seemed more awkward and ill at ease than ever, and his tone was almost threatening.
"I am very glad to find you alone, Lady Cranston," he said.

"I came specially to have a few words with you on a certain matter." Her momentary impulse of relief at his visit passed away.

There seemed to her something sinister in his manner.