Elizabeth: Part XXIII

(Story begins here.)

Six o'clock came as quickly as could be, but Anton was completely unaware of it till the housekeeper politely knocked on the door of the study when the latter went up to collect the former. Anton was startled out of his concentration of the piece of work by Tolstoy that he was reading by the knocking before realising where he was and giving a verbal consent to the housekeeper's entry.

``Master Anton, it is five minutes to six, and I have received word that the Crawfords are on their way to the manor. Will you be ready to come with me to the main door to welcome them to the manor itself as the master of the manor?''

Anton looked at the housekeeper quizzically as he reached for a bookmark to mark the page of the book that he was reading before closing it and setting it in the middle of the table in the study. Standing up and adjusting his attire a little, Anton gave a nod to the housekeeper who returned with a bow before turning around and walking out of the study, leading the way back to the main hall towards the main door as Anton followed behind.

The short walk from the study out to the atrium showed yet another view of the atrium where the grand stairs were. Instead of the muted colours that were only highlighted by the moon light through whatever windows in its path, the chandeliers and gas lamps around the atrium were lit to their fullest, no doubt by the housekeeper. Under the warm orange glow of all the flame lamps, the atrium exuded an elegant and cosy feel beyond that of luxury---there was a strong sense of familiarity about it as well, the kind of familiarity that was more akin to a home than a mere house. Anton was mildly amazed at the sight that was before him---the atrium in the way it was lit always amazed him, despite him having seen similar scenes before during the other dinner appointments that he had to keep up with in the manor. This time, however, he could sense an extra emotion that he had not felt before, something that was strongly in contrast with the woeful scene just the night before when he first laid eyes on Elizabeth.

(Story continues here.)