Notwithstanding he knew his hours
were numbered, the young knight could not avoid feeling curious,
and the tapestry having been drawn aside, he looked through the
arch with a good deal of interest.
The apartment was smaller than the one in which he stood - though
still very large, and instead of being all crimson and gold, was
glancing and glittering with blue and silver. These azure
hangings were of satin, instead of velvet, and looked quite light
and cool, compared to the hot, glowing place where he was. The
ceiling was spangled over with silver stars, with the royal arms
quartered in the middle, and the chairs were of white, polished
wood, gleaming like ivory, and cushioned with blue satin. The
table was of immense length, as it had need to be, and flashed
and sparkled in the wax lights with heaps of gold and silver
plate, cut-glass, and precious porcelain. Golden and crimson
wines shone in the carved decanters; great silver baskets of
fruit were strewn about, with piles of cakes and confectionery -
not to speak of more solid substantials, wherein the heart of
every true Englishman delighteth. The queen sat in a great,
raised chair at the head, and helped herself without paying much
attention to anybody, and the remainder were ranged down its
length, according to their rank - which, as they were all pretty
much dukes and duchesses, was about equal.
Pages:
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212