I have had to exercise a little duplicity, but I fancy that it has been successful.

I have insisted that without help from an influential person in Dreymarsh, I cannot bring my labours here to a satisfactory conclusion, and I have named as the price of that help, Richard's absolute and immediate freedom.

I heard only this morning that there would be no difficulty." Helen snatched up her work and groped her way towards the door.
"I will come back in a few minutes," she promised, her voice a little broken.
Lessingham, who had opened the door for her, returned to his place.
There were no tears in Philippa's brilliant eyes, but there was a faint patch of colour in her cheeks, and her lips were not quite steady.

She caught at his hands.
"Oh, my dear, dear friend!" she said.

"If only that little nightmare part of you did not exist.