CHAPTER FOURUpstairs the housekeeper, Mrs. Flood, showed Ajanta into a very beautiful room, so exquisitely furnished that apart from the bed it was hard to believe that it was not a sitting room.
The sofa and chairs had gilt frames and there was a French commode of the Louis XV period, which Ajanta had always longed to see.
Her mother had taught her not only about art but also about period furniture and she was thrilled that she could recognise many pieces that until this moment she had known only from her mother’s description or from illustrations.
“I expect you would like to change, miss,” Mrs. Flood suggested, as Ajanta took off her bonnet and travelling-cape.
“Has my luggage arrived?” she enquired.
“Yes, miss, but there’s no reason for you to wear one of the gowns that’ll have bee
