Shortlands was a big place, and the Ellsworthys were undoubtedly big people.

Money with them was plentiful.

They considered themselves county folk; they lived in what the Rosebury people believed to be royal style.
Miss Martineau had for one short blissful week of her life spent the time at Shortlands.

She had been sent for in an emergency, to take the place of a nursery governess who was ill.

Her French had been of little account in this great house, and her music had not been tolerated.