The whole scene has an air of
bewitching strangeness. In another part of the mansion we find the
small figures of the estate, all agog, toddling and doddling, with
faces polished like black-balled shoes; they are as piquant and
interesting as their own admiration of the dress master has provided
them for the occasion.
The darkness increases as the night advances. The arbour leading
from the great gate to the vaulted hall in the base of the mansion
is hung with lanterns of grotesque patterns, emitting light and
shade as variegated as the hues of the rainbow. The trees and
shrubbery in the arena, hung with fantastic lanterns, enliven the
picture-make it grand and imposing. It presents a fairy-like
perspective, with spectre lights hung here and there, their mellow
glows reflecting softly upon the luxuriant foliage.
Entering the vaulted hall, its floor of antique tiles; frescoed
walls with well-executed mythological designs, jetting lights
flickering and dazzling through its arches, we find ourselves amidst
splendour unsurpassed in our land. At the termination of the great
hall a massive flight of spiral steps, of Egyptian marble, ascends
to the fourth story, forming a balcony at each, where ottomans are
placed, and from which a fine view of the curvature presents itself,
from whence those who have ascended may descry those ascending. On
the second story is a corridor, with moulded juttings and fretwork
overhead; these are hung with festoons of jasmines and other
delicate flowers, extending its whole length, and lighted by
globular lamps, the prismatic ornaments of which shed their soft
glows on the fixtures beneath.
Pages:
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270