'Gladys dear, I think we had better retire before I am quite crushed: Giles's frown has quite flattened me out.

Miss Garston, if you are ready,' making me a mocking little courtesy; but Miss Hamilton waited for me at the door and linked her arm in mine, taking possession of me in a graceful way that evidently pleased Max, for he looked at us smiling.
'Come into the conservatory, Gladys,' whispered Lady Betty in her sister's ear.

'Etta has a cold coming on, and will be afraid of following us.' The conservatory led out of the drawing-room, and was lighted by coloured lamps that gave a pretty effect; it was full of choice flowers, and two or three cane chairs filled up the centre.

It was not so warm as the drawing-room, certainly, but it was pleasant to sit there in the dim perfumed atmosphere and peep through the open window at the firelight.
Miss Darrell followed us to the window with a discontented air.
'I hope you are not going to stay there many minutes, Gladys: you will certainly give yourself and Miss Garston a bad cold if you do.

There is something wrong with the warming-apparatus, and Giles says it will be some days before it will be properly warmed.