And Juliet followed her across the threshold, not without an uneasy thought of how her mother would feel if she could see her.
[CHAPTER III]
A PEEP INTO BOHEMIA
FLOSSIE CHALCOMBE led Juliet into a square, lofty room, which was the dining-room of the house.
It was not an ill-furnished room, but it looked dingy, and had, even to Juliet's unobservant eyes, a most untidy appearance, whilst her sensitive nostrils were at once aware of the disagreeable odour of stale tobacco.
The ceiling was darkened by smoke; the curtains, once white, had, under the strain of smoke and dust from within, and damp and smuts from without, developed a greyish hue; the carpet, once handsome, was discoloured and threadbare, rather, perhaps, from the effects of careless usage than as the result of long service; a pipe-rack and a tobacco jar appeared amongst other odd ornaments on the mantelpiece, and the pier-glass above it presented a curious effect, being bordered on each side as high as hands could reach with papers, play-bills, photographs, etc., stuck for security within its rim. The chairs were of oak, curiously carved, with crimson leather seats. A handsome sideboard with a plate-glass back stood on one side, presenting an array of flagons and decanters flanked by a black bottle or two. A plated spirit-stand was in the centre. The cut-glass decanter labelled "whisky" had been drawn out and stood on the table beside two empty glasses. Near the door a cottage piano stood open, the top littered with sheets of music, and on the music-stand a piece bearing on its cover a marvellous representation of a gentleman in extravagantly fashionable attire making his bow to an imaginary audience.
As Juliet glanced round her, the misgivings with which she had entered the house increased.
"Is father at home?" Flossie asked of the servant, as her eyes fell on the empty glasses.
The maid answered in the affirmative.
Flossie slightly shrugged her shoulders, and Juliet fancied she was not best pleased.