She liked to roam about their house, to dream meditatively in some nook of the rich interior, with a book for company.

She liked Cowperwood's pictures, his jades, his missals, his ancient radiant glass.

From talking with Aileen she realized that the latter had no real love for these things, that her expressions of interest and pleasure were pure make-believe, based on their value as possessions.

For Stephanie herself certain of the illuminated books and bits of glass had a heavy, sensuous appeal, which only the truly artistic can understand.

They unlocked dark dream moods and pageants for her.