North Suburb of Paris.
Jane stepped out of the pale‑grey boarding house, and before leaving, cast one last reluctant look back inside.
The industrial‑style composite‑board wardrobe, the copper faucet gleaming with golden light, and the gas lamp under its glass shade made the place feel like something from the future.
Though a little unwilling to part, Jane still forced herself to shut the door firmly.
If she managed to get into the second round of interviews later, then this room would be her "home" for the next three and a half years; she would have plenty of time to slowly savor everything here.
But if her name wasn't on the interview list, she would have to return to Bath at once—she no longer had the money to stay on in France—and this place would have nothing to do with her anymore, so what was the point of clinging to it?
