It was spacious, comfortable and warm; but somewhat pretentious; rather like the imposing hall into which the heroine suddenly enters on the film.
Aaron dropped his heavy bag, with relief, and stood there, hat in hand, in his damp overcoat in the circle of light, looking vaguely at the yellow marble pillars, the gilded arches above, the shadowy distances and the great stairs.

The butler disappeared--reappeared in another moment--and through an open doorway came the host.

Sir William was a small, clean old man with a thin, white beard and a courtly deportment, wearing a black velvet dinner jacket faced with purple silk.
"How do you do, Mr.Sisson.You come straight from England ?" Sir William held out his hand courteously and benevolently, smiling an old man's smile of hospitality.
"Mr.Lilly has gone away ?" said Aaron.
"Yes.

He left us several days ago." Aaron hesitated.
"You didn't expect me, then ?" "Yes, oh, yes.

Yes, oh, yes.