Mr. Howard will permit me to offer him
the services of my valet--I don't trouble him much. And now I'll show
you your rooms. Like this?" he added, as he paused at the door and
looked round. "It's one of the smaller rooms; the ladies can keep it
for themselves if they like."
"Charming!" said Howard; and the word was appropriate enough to the
dainty apartment with its chaste decorations of crushed strawberry and
gold, with hangings and furniture to match; with its grand piano in
carved white wood and its series of water colours by some of the best
of the Institute men.
"I'm glad!" responded Sir Stephen. "But I mustn't keep you. We'll go
over the place after dinner--or some other time. To-night we are alone;
the party doesn't come up till to-morrow. I wanted to have you,
Stafford--and your friend--to myself before the crowd arrived."
They followed him up the broad stairs, which by low and easy steps led
up to the exquisite corridor, harmonising perfectly with the eastern
hall, on to which it looked through arches shaped and fitted in
Oriental fashion.
"Here is your room. Ah, Measom! here is Mr.
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