5A footman flung open the big nail-studded oak door of the Castle and Caroline entered.
“I have called to, see her ladyship,” she said in her clear, commanding voice, and an old butler with a pontifical dignity came forward and bowed low.
“Certainly, Madam. What name shall I say?”
“Miss Caroline Fry,” Caroline replied, and then in surprise saw a strange expression cross the butler’s face.
For a moment she did not understand what was wrong until he straightened himself, turned away, with what could only be described as a disdainful air, and with a ‘gesture’ of his fat hand motioned forward a flunkey, gorgeous in purple and crimson.
“Show Miss Fry upstairs,” he said sharply.
Caroline suddenly realised that as a mere applicant for a post in the household she was not entitled to the cour
