The golden garlands and the alabaster pots of sweet ointment
which had been suspended before the guests during the banquet, still
hung from the painted ceiling. On the massive table, composed partly of
ebony and partly of silver, yet lay, in the wildest confusion, fragments
of gastronomic delicacies, grotesque dinner services, vases of flowers,
musical instruments, and crystal dice; while towering over all rose the
glittering dish which had contained the nightingales consumed by the
feasters, with the four golden Cupids which had spouted over them that
illustrious invention--the Nightingale Sauce. Around the couches, of
violet and rose colour, ranged along the table, the perfumed and gaily-
tinted powders that had been strewn in patterns over the marble floor
were perceptible for a few yards; but beyond this point nothing more was
plainly distinguishable. The eye roved down the sides of the glorious
chamber, catching dim glimpses of gorgeous draperies, crowded statues,
and marble columns, but discerning nothing accurately, until it reached
the half-opened windows, and rested upon the fresh dewy verdure now
faintly visible in the shady gardens without.
Pages:
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244