him; the gentler folk raising frocks from pools and streams of blood,
thereby displaying high-heeled shoe and slender ankle and ruffles of
rare lace; and they gathered close about Mistress Penwick, drinking in
her simple convent ways of glance and gesture and fresh, young spirit.

Then his Lordship led them to the grand saloon. It was the glory
of the castle, this great room of forty feet in width and sixty in
length. The ceiling supported upon either side by slender Corinthian
pillars, was panelled and exquisitely frescoed with nude female
figures that were reflected in the highly polished floor of marquetry
woods. The walls were covered with old tapestries and rare pictures.
There were two immense windows; the one at the south end of the room
was quite twenty feet square of Egyptian style. The one to the north
reached from floor to ceiling and from side to side. It was draped by
a single ruby-coloured velvet curtain that was so artistically caught
by rope-like cords of silk that, by a draw, could be lifted upward
and to either side in luxurious folds, exposing the entire window. At
present the great saloon was lighted by seven immense lustres of fifty
candles each, and with twenty sconces each bearing fifteen candles.
The effulgent gleam cast from these myriad flames upon polished woods,
busts, statues, unique bric-a-brac, gildings, glass and ruby velvet
produced the perfection of old-time splendour. And now, as the gallant
beaux led in fair maidens, it gave the picture life. The great
north window disclosed the ice-bound trees in all their primitive
ruggedness. The snow and sleet were vigorously driven by the wind that
howled continuously. The light from the forked-tree cast through
the window rays that resembled moonlight, as they mingled with the
radiance within, while outside it twinkled with the sprightliness of
old-fashioned humour.