CHAPTER XXIV.
Henry and Agnes were left alone in the Room of the Caryatides.
The person who had written the description of the palace--probably a poor author or artist--had correctly pointed out the defects of the mantel-piece.

Bad taste, exhibiting itself on the most costly and splendid scale, was visible in every part of the work.

It was nevertheless greatly admired by ignorant travellers of all classes; partly on account of its imposing size, and partly on account of the number of variously-coloured marbles which the sculptor had contrived to introduce into his design.

Photographs of the mantel-piece were exhibited in the public rooms, and found a ready sale among English and American visitors to the hotel.
Henry led Agnes to the figure on the left, as they stood facing the empty fire-place.

'Shall I try the experiment,' he asked, 'or will you ?' She abruptly drew her arm away from him, and turned back to the door.