Upon one side of this hall was a suite of parlors—three in number.
The first and third were large lofty rooms and furnished alike. The ceilings were paneled and painted in the most exquisite designs. The walls were delicately tinted, with rosewood dados, in which were set panels of variegated marble beautifully carved. The carpets were of a bright and graceful pattern, and of richest texture, the hangings of crimson plush, and the furniture, no two pieces of which were alike, was upholstered to match.
The middle room was larger than the other two, and even more dazzling in its furnishings, and was separated from the others by arches, supported by graceful marble columns richly carved. The walls were delicately tinted, the same as in the other rooms, but the dados were of white Italian marble. The ceiling was painted with daisies and buttercups, arranged in most tasteful design; the carpet was a marvel of richness and delicate beauty—a white ground dotted with golden heads of wheat; the curtains were of golden satin festooned with lace; the furniture, of different kinds of precious wood, inlaid with gold and pearl, was cushioned with white satin brocaded with golden coreopsis; the lambrequins, which were of velvet embroidered with daisies, gave a superb effect to the whole.
Every accessory in the way of mirrors, etageres, pictures, statuary, etc., was perfect, and the elegance of the whole suite it would be difficult to exceed.
On the opposite side of the hall were the library, sitting-rooms, and dining-room, while leading from the latter was a very fine conservatory.
Above, there were suites of rooms for the family and guests, and all in keeping with the elegance of those below; and if wealth and the good things it brings could possibly gladden the heart of man, Earle Wayne, Marquis of Wycliffe, ought to be a very happy one.
There is an old saying, “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,” and we might add, heavy is the heart whose all lies in a weighty purse, for in all England it would not have been possible to find a more wretched being than Earle Wayne.
And so the time went by until there came a strange break in the monotony of his life—the adventure of which Mr. Tressalia had told Editha.
He had been told by one of the servants, during the day before, that a suspicious-looking character was prowling about the place; but he did not pay much attention to the matter, and when night came he retired as usual, and went to sleep without a thought of danger.
About two in the morning he had been awakened by the sound of muffled footsteps in his dressing-room. The next moment he saw the flash of a dark lantern, and knew there was mischief brewing.