Across the southwestern side of this room heavy portieres partially concealed the entrance to what Mr.Mainwaring denominated his "sanctum sanctorum," the room in the tower.

This was small, of circular form, and contained an immense desk, one or two revolving bookcases, and a large safe, which held his private papers and, it was rumored, the old Mainwaring jewels.

Back of the library was a smoking-room, and in the rear of that Mr.Mainwaring's dressing-rooms and sleeping apartments.
This suite of rooms was connected with the remainder of the building by a long corridor extending from the main hall, but there was on the south side of the house an entrance and stairway leading directly to these rooms, the upper hall opening into the library and smoking-room.

From this southern entrance a gravelled walk led between lines of shrubbery to a fine grove, which extended back and downward to the western shore of the small lake already mentioned.
But the especially distinguishing characteristic of Fair Oaks since coming into the possession of Hugh Mainwaring was the general air of exclusion pervading the entire place.

The servants, with the exception of "Uncle Mose," the colored man having charge of the grounds, were imported,--the head cook being a Frenchman, the others either English or Irish, and, from butler to chambermaid, one and all seemed to have acquired the reserve which characterized their employer.
Comparatively few servants were employed and few were needed, for never, until the present occasion, had Fair Oaks been thrown open to guests.