Ellen believed that money in rugs was a good investment, particularly if the colours were strong and would stand fading.

There were some choice things here and there, a vase and pictures which Peter had chosen for himself, though he was aware, as he took them in under the dull glow, that Ellen had arranged them in strict reference to the size of the frames, and that the whole effect failed of satisfaction.

He thought his life might be somewhat like that room, full of good things but lacking the touch that should set them in fruitful order.

It stole over him as persuasively as the warm growing smell of the park below him that the something missed might be the touch and presence of the Lovely Lady.
II It was the late end of the afternoon when Peter stepped off the train at the Lessing's station and into the trap that was waiting for him.

He learned from Lessing's man that the family had been kept by the tennis match at Maplemont and he was to come on to the house at his leisure.
That being the case, Peter took the reins himself and made a long detour through the dust-smelling country roads, so that it was quite six when he reached the house, and everybody dressing for the early dinner.
He made so hasty a change himself in his fear of being late, that when he came down to the living-room in a quarter of an hour there was no one there to meet him.