admit , I have misgivings as to what will be believed by you — or by your readers . Ah , here is Jeffries . Please see our guest upstairs .”
The valet / butler , a tall broad-shouldered man with a pleasant face , led me back to the entrance hall and up a wide staircase to the second floor where we paused before a heavy door . I was stunned when he opened it . The interior of the room was easily forty by fifty feet , and the glorious four-poster bed was the largest I had ever beheld .
“ Good Lord , Jeffries !” I managed . “ Surely this is the master bedroom ?”
He smiled . “ Many of the manor ’ s bedrooms are quite large . But you are correct , sir . Lord Kettering wished you to have it for your stay . Please , sir , no arguments . He was most insistent . His wardrobe is still within the closet , but the armoire has been cleared and your luggage already carefully unpacked into it . Dinner is at eight o ’ clock . Here is the bell rope if you need anything at all .”
Then I was alone . I paced about the marvelous room , somewhat embarrassed , and touched the sumptuous upholstery on the many pieces of furniture . I was also fairly certain that the painting above the roaring fireplace was an original Rembrandt . The one slight imperfection in the room may have been a result of this great blaze . The chimney damper must have needed adjusted , for the air smelled somewhat of soot and smoke .
I rested a while , sampling numerous books from a wide shelf , and at length I dressed and found my way to the dining room . It too was immense , and the table held
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