"Oh, you must be reasonable," she begged, with a little break in her
voice. "You know very well that I ought not to listen to you. I
ought not to welcome you here. I ought to be strong and close my
ears."
"But you will not do that!"
"No!" she faltered. "Please don't come any nearer. I--"
She broke off suddenly. The struggle in her face was ended, her
expression transformed. Her finger was held up as though to bid
him listen. With her other hand she clutched the back of the couch.
Her eyes were fixed upon the door. The little patch of wonderful
colour faded from her cheeks.
"Listen!" she cried, with a note of terror in her voice. "That was
the front door! Some one has come! Can't you hear them?"
Lessingham's hand stole suddenly to his pocket. She caught the
glitter of something half withdrawn, and shrank back with a
half-stifled moan.
"Not before you, dear," he promised. "Please do not be afraid. If
this is the end, leave me alone with Griffiths. I shall not hurt
him. I shall not forget. And if by any chance," he added, "this
is to be our farewell, Philippa, you will remember that I love you
as the flowers of the world love their sun. Courage!"
The door facing them was opened.
"Captain Griffiths," Mills announced.
Through the open door they caught a vision of two other soldiers
and Inspector Fisher.
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