He had not been in Madam Chartley's service all these years without learning a few things.

That she was over-awed by the magnificence of her surroundings he readily guessed, for she made no movement towards the knocker, only stood and looked timidly up at the massive portal and then across the lawn, where a line of haughty peacocks stood drawn up in gorgeous dress parade on the highest terrace.
"She's feeling like a cat in a strange garret," said the butler to himself with a grin.

It was a matter of personal pride with him when strangers seemed duly impressed by the grandeur of this aristocratic old manor-house, now used as a boarding-school.

It was a personal affront when they were not.

Needless to say his dignity had suffered much at the hands of American school-girls, and although this one seemed impressed by her surroundings almost to the point of panic, he eyed her suspiciously.
"'Eaven knows they lose their shyness soon henough!" he said under his breath.