As they stepped out of the carriage, she noticed that all the houses in the road were built back from the pavement and that there was a small ornamental garden in front of each one.
“I expect my nieces will be entertaining some friends,” Mrs. Tait said, “so to save you from embarrassing questions we will slip in at the side door.”
“Yes, I would much prefer that,” Nerina answered.
She was conscious now not only of her tiredness but also of her appearance. Her dress was creased and dusty from travelling and her hands and face badly in need of a wash.
Mrs. Tait led the way through a small paved garden to the side door of the house. Nerina was aware that the place was bigger than she had at first thought. Then the door opened and she found herself in a dimly-lit passage, a flight of stairs
