So now you know--now you have seen." "Yes," answered Barebone, gravely.

"I have seen and I know." The Marquis rubbed his white hands together and gave a little crackling laugh of delight as he drew forward a chair to the fire, which was of logs as long as a barrel.

The room was a huge one, and it was lighted from end to end with lamps, as if for a reception or a ball.

The air was damp and mouldly.

There were patches of grey on the walls, which had once been painted with garlands of roses and Cupids and pastoral scenes by a noted artist of the Great Age.
The ceiling had fallen in places, and the woodwork of the carved furniture gave forth a subtle scent of dry rot.
But everything was in an exquisite taste which vulgarer generations have never yet succeeded in imitating.