"I'm not sure, madam, but that is certainly possible."

 

Then, lowering her voice, Mrs Wakefield had said: "But tell me, Stevens, what

was this Lord Darlington like? Presumably you must have worked for him."

 

"I didn't, madam, no."

 

"Oh, I thought you did. I wonder why I thought that."

 

Mrs Wakefield turned back to the arch and putting her hand to it, said: "So we

don't know for certain then. Still, it looks to me like it's mock. Very

skilful," but mock."

 

It is possible I might have quickly forgotten this exchange; however, following

the Wakefields' departure, I took in afternoon tea to Mr Farraday in the drawing

room and noticed he was in a rather preoccupied mood. After an initial silence,

he said:

 

"You know, Stevens, Mrs Wakefield wasn't as impressed with this house as I

believe she ought to have been."

 

"Is that so, sir?"

 

"In fact, she seemed to think I was exaggerating the pedigree of this place.

That I was making it up about all these features going back centuries."