Alfred hurried across the plat, which was trimmed as
neatly as a college green, and asked the servant if he could see Margaret
Black.
"Margaret Black?" said the man doubtfully: "I'll inquire, sir. Please to
follow me."
They entered a handsome hall, with antlers and armour: from this a double
staircase led up to a landing with folding doors in the centre of it; one
of these doors was wide open like the iron gate outside. The servant
showed Alfred up the left-hand staircase, through the open door, into a
spacious drawing-room, handsomely though not gaily furnished and
decorated, but a little darkened by Venetian blinds.
The old servant walked gravely on and on, till Alfred began to think he
would butt the wall; but he put his hand out and opened a door that might
very well escape a stranger's notice; for it was covered with
looking-glass, and matched another narrow mirror in shape and size. This
door led into a very long room, as plain and even sordid as the
drawing-room was inviting: the unpapered walls were a cold drab, and
wanted washing; there was a thick cobweb up in one corner, and from the
ceiling hung the tail of another, which the housemaid's broom had
scotched not killed: that side of the room they entered by was all books.
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