It suggested that the owner of the room enjoyed an uncommon lightness and cheerfulness of temperament.

On the walls, with wide gaps between them so that they did not clash, hung three or four excellent pictures.

Two ballet-girls by Degas, a group of shepherdesses and shepherds, in pink and blue and white beribboned silk, by Fragonard, a portrait of a woman by Bastien-Lepage, a charming Corot, and two Conder fans showed that the taste of their fortunate owner was at any rate eclectic.

At the end of the room was, of all curious things, the opening into the well of a lift.

The doors of it were open, though the lift itself was on some other floor.