I understand he is writing a book on the stately homes of England and is considering including Alderley in it.'

'I see. That's something, anyway. I'd like to go straight up to my room now.'

'Certainly, miss. If you will just follow me.'

'Is it my old room?'

'Yes, miss.'

'Then don't bother to take me. I know my way. Have my traps been taken up?'

'Yes, miss. You should find Marie unpacking.'

'Fine. Tell Lady Geraldine I've arrived, will you, Merryweather ?'

'Certainly, miss.'

'Thank you.' Jane made her way up the grand staircase. At the top she turned right along the main corridor, and at the end left into the east wing. She opened the second door on the left and went in. This was a small but pleasant room, overlooking the courtyard. Gerry's maid, Marie, a pretty, dark girl, had just completed the not very arduous task of unpacking. She gave a shriek of horror upon seeing Jane.

'Mille tonnerres, mademoiselle! What 'ave they done to you?'

'Not they, Marie. One man in one car.'

She took off her tweed coat and skirt and gave it to Marie for sponging and pressing. Then she removed her precious stockings and handed them to her too, with a request to have them laundered with the greatest possible care. After Marie had left, Jane washed her face and hands, and gingerly put on her other stockings. This operation completed without mishap, she was just struggling into her dress, when Gerry burst in.

By the time she had given an account of her misadventure with Deveraux, Jane felt more cheerful. Gerry proved a most satisfactorily sympathetic audience, exhibiting just the right amount of indignation on Jane's behalf. When they'd talked the subject out, she said: 'Now, tell me: have you got a job yet?'

Jane shook her head.

'Good. Then you can stay as long as you like.'

'I wish I could, but honestly I must get fixed up soon.'

'Jane, darling, can't you marry money?'

'Lead me to it.'

'Perhaps I have. Perhaps there's somebody here. Pity you got off on the wrong foot with Giles Deveraux. He's not exactly good looking, but he's rather attractive. And I should imagine he's pretty well-heeled. His car looks expensive.'

'Probably stolen.'

'Then how about one of our mittel Europeans? I don't know anything about them financially, but these continental diplomats usually come from ancient aristocratic families.'

'Somehow the idea of being married to an ancient European diplomat doesn't really appeal to me.'

'No, honestly, they're not at all bad. I was very agreeably surprised. I was expecting terribly stiff and formal old buffers with thick accents and monocles and little imperials, bowing and kissing my hand all over the place. But actually they're both quite young. They speak very good English - in fact one of them could be an American. The secondary one - Felman, I think - is a bit quiet, but the chief one, Adler, has really got a lot of charm - and SA.'

'Sorry, darling, but I'm not keen.