civilization for the councilor to raise objections.

* * *

It was late winter; the large heavy cover of snow, the result of a
whole week's uninterrupted blowing, was in the process of rapidly
melting away. The air was full of sunlight and reflection from the
white snow, which in large, shining drops dripped down past the
windows. Within the room all forms and colors had awakened, all lines
and contours had come to life. Whatever was flat extended, whatever
was bent curved, whatever was inclined slid, and whatever was broken
refracted the more. All kinds of green tones mingled on the
flower-table, from the softest dark-green to the sharpest
yellow-green. Reddish brown tones flooded in flames across the surface
of the mahogany table, and gold gleamed and sparkled from the
knick-knacks, from the frames and moldings, but on the carpet all the
colors broke and mingled in a joyous, shimmering confusion.

Camilla sat at the window and sewed, and she and the Graces on the
mantle were quite enveloped in a reddish light from the red curtains
Mogens walked slowly up and down the room, and passed every moment in
and out of slanting beams of light of pale rainbow-colored dust.

He was in talkative mood.

"Yes," he said, "they are a curious kind of people, these with whom you
associate. There isn't a thing between heaven and earth which they
cannot dispose of in the turn of a hand. This is common, and that is
noble; this is the most stupid thing that has been done since the
creation of the world, and that is the wisest; this is so ugly, so