Two servants held the double door open for them and Arthur led his daughter into an opulent reception hall, furnished with polished marble, ancestral portraits, exotic vases and statues purchased by several generations of McPadraics from several generations of colonial looters merchants, and doorways, windows, and stairs of almost decadent proportions. Left and right grand doors led to the ball room and the parlour, respectively. In front of them there was a grand staircase to an open landing, from which two corridors spread to the two wings of bed and guest chambers. To the left of the staircase there was a gothic arched corridor leading to the other rooms: the breakfast room, the dining room, the great dining hall for the more ceremonial dinners, the billiard room, the drawing room for the ladies, etc. Right under the staircase, almost hidden from view was a door to the servant corridors. The home had a separate network of corridors for the servants so that they could stay out of sight while moving from room to room.

Arthur withdrew his arm. "They are dressing for dinner, as is mama. We'll have dinner in the dining hall today." He hoped the honour would make her feel welcome, and encourage her to be amiable and civilised. "Why don't you go get settled and changed? I've asked Martha to help you. If you find her assistance to your wishes, she can be your lady's maid from now on. Your mother's maid left, so she's taken Dora." Dora had been Alexandra's lady's maid before she left for the school.