"I'm worse than Goldilocks trying all the chairs of the three bears, but that's too loppy!" She whisked into a fourth seat, this time opposite the portieres.

To her consternation the parted curtains revealed an appalling fact.

Not only could the winding stairway be seen from where she sat, but the entire interior of the reception room must be equally visible to any one coming down the steps.

The dignified white-haired Personage now on the bottom step must have seen every move she made as she darted around the room trying the chairs in turn.
The faint gleam of suppressed amusement on Madam Chartley's face as she entered, confirmed the girl's fears.

It was unthinkable that such a mortifying situation should go unexplained, yet for a moment after Madam's courteous greeting Mary stood tongue-tied.