With the advent of coffee, they were for the first time really alone.

Lessingham sat by Philippa's side, and Helen reclined in a low chair close at hand.
"I think," he said, "that I can venture now to tell you some news." Helen put down her work.

Philippa looked at him in silence, and her eyes seemed to dilate.
"I have hesitated to say anything about it," Lessingham went on, "because there is so much uncertainty about these things, but I believe that it is now finally arranged.

I think that within the next week or ten days--perhaps a little before, perhaps a little later--your brother Richard will be set at liberty." "Dick?
Dick coming home ?" Philippa cried, springing up from her reclining position.
"Dick ?" Helen faltered, her work lying unheeded in her lap.

"Mr.
Lessingham, do you mean it?
Is it possible ?" "It is not only possible," Lessingham assured them, "but I believe that it will come to pass.