Medium—This is a large, almost square room, elegantly, yet rather scantily furnished; that is, it is not overfurnished. The ceiling is lofty, of the tint of old ivory, and decorated in a delicate design of wreaths and sprays of foliage and flowers. The walls also are ivory tinted, but of a deeper shade than the ceiling, and are decorated in designs harmonizing with those of the ceiling. On the highly polished floor, which is of some light, rose colored wood, are fine Oriental looking rugs, and there is a very handsome divan, and some richly upholstered chairs, and a large, beautifully carved wood table, and a massive dressing bureau, which is built into the wall, and on it are many pretty toilet articles, some of which have a very familiar appearance. Near the one lofty, wide, front window, in an ornamental tub, is a large growing plant, which looks like some species of palm, but is unlike any palm I know of. It bears an enormous truss of lovely scarlet flowers, which give out a fragrance resembling that of the hyacinth. I am pleased that it is to be included in the illustrations of Ento's flora.
RUVACCA̤ PLIMOS
De L'Ester—It is not related to the palm family. Observe carefully the forms of both calyx and flower, and you will consider its Ento name, Ruvacca̤ plimos, quite appropriate. You may name it trumpet flower. Now, madame, you will proceed.
Medium—How shall I describe the sleeping occupant of this beautiful couch? I am at a loss for words that might do justice to this revelation of Ento female loveliness. Allow me to be silent, De L'Ester, while you, who are more competent than am I, shall attempt the impossible.
De L'Ester—As you will, madame, though I confess to an unwillingness, to attempt through words to convey an idea of the appearance of this extremely beautiful woman. The invasion of the privacy of her apartment, to you, seems an impertinence. But that you may learn many things pertaining to the Entoans, we must use means at our command, so I think we may be pardoned for this intrusion.
The woman sleeping upon this shell shaped couch is young, and indeed "tall, and divinely fair." Below a wide, shapely forehead, shaded by flossy curls, long, silken lashes fringe white eyelids concealing large, luminous blue eyes. A profusion of golden brown hair lies in curling, waving masses, over snowy pillow, and bare, blue veined, white throat. Her complexion is as fair and rosy as pink rose petals, for this is not one of Ento's dark skinned beauties, but one of a Northland race. In her sleep she dreams and smiles, her slightly parted lips revealing a hint of two rows of pearls, in keeping with this shell shaped couch, so closely inlaid with pearl that one can imagine it the former abode of some great ocean creature and the white fleecy covering of its present occupant the foam of storm tossed waters.
Fair dreamer, may you long experience joyous awakenings to happy days and happier years!
We now will pass to the apartment across the hallway.
The dimensions of this chamber are the same as those of the one we have but now left, and the decorations and furnishing is much the same, the noticeable exception being this low, broad couch, of some fine wood, artistically inlaid with a variety of colored woods in a floral design. Its corners are held by heavy, ornamental silver clasps, which add much to its sumptuous beauty. Lying on it in a profound sleep, is a man of apparently middle age, and though quite dark skinned, he is extremely handsome. He is very tall, and finely formed, as are all of his race, and in his quiet face one reads dignity of character, and gentleness. Through his black, silken, curling beard one perceives that he has finely curved lips, and that his black, abundant curling hair graces an admirably statuesque head, neck and shoulders. Yes, all Entoans have abundant hair. Their head covering, which seldom is worn, is not of a kind to destroy the growth of their hair.