"For all its grandeur it is not a hospitable house.

Jennings will have to go without his tea this afternoon." Mary looked with wonder down the great length of the magnificent room.
Her feet sank in the Turkey carpet.

The walls, which were papered in deep red, were lined with full-length portraits, some of them equestrian.

The place had an air of rich comfort.

Was it possible that the mistress of so much magnificence could grudge a visitor's coachman his tea?
"Her ladyship looks after the bawbees," Lady Anne went on, thinking aloud as usual, rather than talking to Mary.