Doors opened, voices called. At the end of the passage appeared Cook’s crimsoned face. Martin rushed down the staircase, followed by an exclaiming Marie, and all three stared petrified at the sight before them.
Parsons and Edwards had followed Grizel’s lead, and were now flanking her on each side, pressing their hands to their hearts, and gasping for breath. All three were white from head to foot, and on the floor around them the carpet was whitened to match.
“For mercy’s sake, Grizel, what has happened?” cried Martin loudly. Then, lifting his eyes, he glanced through the open door of the dining-room, and beheld...
Where had stretched a smooth expanse of white, there were now unsightly gaps showing glimpses of dust and timber: where the lines of the cornice had neatly bordered the room, was now a rough and jagged edge. The ceiling had fallen, gently, unostentatiously, without fuss or clamour, and deposited itself upon the floor!
At that moment the door bell rang.
Chapter Fifteen.
Among the Bulbs.
By noon next day all Chumley was ringing with the story of Grizel Beverley’s first dinner party, for each feminine guest, anxious to have the privilege of telling the news, had hurried out of the house at the first possible moment, and betaken herself to the High Street.