Philippa had ordered champagne, and the warmth of the pleasant dining room, the many appurtenances of luxury by which they were surrounded, the glow of the wine, and the perfume of the hothouse flowers upon the table, seemed in delicious contrast to the fury of the storm outside.

They all three appeared completely successful in a strenuous effort to dismiss all disconcerting subjects from their minds.

Lessingham talked chiefly of the East.

He had travelled in Russia, Persia, Afghanistan, and India, and he had the unusual but striking gift of painting little word pictures of some of the scenes of his wanderings.

It was half-past nine before they rose from the table, and Lessingham accompanied them into the library.