After a supreme hesitation he asked her if he might go and look at the yellow room, which seemed so attractive yet so virginal.

He had been there already with Osmond, to inspect the furniture, which was of the First French Empire, and especially to admire the clock (which he didn't really admire), an immense classic structure of that period.

He therefore felt that he had now begun to manoeuvre.
"Certainly, you may go," said Pansy; "and if you like I'll show you." She was not in the least frightened.
"That's just what I hoped you'd say; you're so very kind," Rosier murmured.
They went in together; Rosier really thought the room very ugly, and it seemed cold.

The same idea appeared to have struck Pansy.

"It's not for winter evenings; it's more for summer," she said.