His cousin, Lady Cynthia Welwyn, scolded him periodically for his negligence in the matter.

But after all it was he, and not Cynthia, who had to live in the room.

She had something to do with the School, and of course wanted jobs for her workers.
"I hope that good woman's train will be punctual," he thought to himself, presently, as he went to a window and drew up a blind.

"Otherwise I shall have no time to look at her before Helena arrives." He stood awhile absently surveying the prospect outside.

There was first of all a garden with some pleasant terraces, and flights of stone steps, planned originally in the grand style, but now rather dilapidated and ill-kept, suggesting either a general shortage of pelf on the part of the owner--or perhaps mere neglect and indifference.
Beyond the garden stretched a green rim of park, with a gleam of water in the middle distance which seemed to mean either a river or a pond, many fine scattered trees, and, girdling the whole, a line of wooded hill.
Just such a view as any county--almost--in this beautiful England can produce.