“Yes, Mrs. Barnstaple,” the Dowager answered. “We have been honoured by a visit of Prince Dipa of Singora. You will remember I have spoken to you of how his Lordship and I once visited that charming country many years ago when we were on our world tour. Well, the King has asked me to have his grandson here for a long stay, as the doctors think it would be best for his health if he spent some time away from the sunshine. Unfortunately, owing to our most inefficient mail, the ship bringing His Highness and his Governess, Miss Warner, arrived before the letter from His Majesty telling me that they had already left.”

“It is indeed unfortunate, your Ladyship,” Mrs. Barnstaple remarked.

“I have already explained to Miss Warner,” the Dowager continued, “why the carriage was not at the station or indeed why his Lordship had not gone to Southampton to greet them as they stepped off the boat. But Miss Warner is gracious enough to understand. Now, Mrs. Barnstaple, have you any rooms prepared where we can put His Highness?”

“It would not take us more than a few minutes, your Ladyship, to have the nurseries ready,” Mrs. Barnstaple replied. “Strangely enough the housemaids were turning them out only this week. You know I always insist on every room being turned out once a month, even though they are never in use. The beds are aired and it will only be a case of taking off the dust sheets. I was only thinking to myself, your Ladyship, it’s a pity those lovely nurseries are not in use. Now if his Lordship – ”

The Dowager interrupted.

“I leave everything in your capable hands, Mrs. Barnstaple. Put Miss Warner and the Prince in the nurseries, as you suggest. There is, I suppose, someone to light the fires and bring them up something to eat?”

“Of course, your Ladyship, everything will be seen to,” Mrs. Barnstaple answered. “The housemaids have not gone to bed, seeing there is such a big party in the house.”

The Dowager sank back against her pillows as though she was suddenly very tired.

“Very good, Mrs. Barnstaple, take Miss Warner and His Highness to their rooms.”

It seemed that she had nothing more to say.

Carina walked across the room to take Dipa away from the dog, but, when she reached the door and looked back towards the bed, the Dowager’s eyes were still closed.

She therefore followed Mrs. Barnstaple, who was talking volubly, up the stairs to the next floor.

“It’ll be a real treat,” she was saying, “to have the nurseries in use again. It’s time his Lordship married, we have said that often enough. But then he never seems to think of marriage.”

She opened the door of a large room with big windows running along one side.