Pilar gave the man some direction in Spanish, and then drew Wilhelm into the salon, which opened into the hall.
"Welcome, a thousand times, to this house," she said, clasping him in her arms; "and may your coming bring happiness to us both.

I will take off my things now, and say a word, to my servants, and be with you again directly." With that she hurried away, and Wilhelm found himself alone.

He looked about him.

The salon was luxuriously, if, according to Wilhelm's taste, somewhat gaudily furnished.

The walls were draped in yellow silk, the portieres, window-curtains, and gilt-backed chairs being of the same brilliant hue, though its monotony was fortunately broken by numerous oil paintings, forming, as it were, dark islands in a sea of sulphur.
Opposite to the window hung two life-sized portraits of a lady and an officer.