The negro exhibited some surprise at the stranger's dress
and manner, for he affected ease and indifference. "Is your master
at leisure?" said he. "Business, or a friend?" inquired the negro,
making one of his best bows, and drawing back his left foot. "Both,"
was the quick reply. "I, boy, am a gentleman!" "I sees dat, mas'r,"
rejoined the boy, accompanying his answer with another bow, and
requesting the stranger's name, as he motioned him into a spacious
drawing-room on the right, still more gorgeously furnished.
"My name is Major Blank: your master knows my name: I would see him
quickly!" again spoke the stranger, as the boy promptly disappeared
to make the announcement. The heavy satin-damask curtains, of finest
texture, that adorned the windows; the fresco-paintings of the
walls; the elaborate gilding that here and there in bad taste
relieved the cornices; the massive pictures that hung in
gauze-covered frames upon the walls; the chastely designed carpets,
and lolls, and rugs, with which the floor gave out its brilliancy;
the costly tapestry of the curiously carved furniture that stood
here and there about the room; and the soft light of a curiously
constructed chandelier, suspended from the left hand of an angel in
bronze, the said angel having its wings pinioned to the ceiling, its
body in the attitude of descending, and its right hand gracefully
raised above the globe, spreading its prismatic glows over the
whole, did indeed make the scene resplendent of luxury.
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