The carriage soon stopped at a low villa, which was completely
embowered in trees.
Jerome alighted, and was shown into a superb room, with the walls
finely decorated with splendid tapestry, and the ceilings
exquisitely frescoed. The walls were hung with fine specimens from
the hands of the great Italian masters, and one by a German
artist, representing a beautiful monkish legend connected with the
"Holy Catharine," an illustrious lady of Alexandria. High-backed
chairs stood around the room, rich curtains of crimson damask hung
in folds on either side of the window, and a beautiful, rich,
Turkey carpet covered the floor. In the centre of the room stood a
table covered with books, in the midst of which was a vase of
fresh flowers, loading the atmosphere with their odors. A faint
light, together with the quiet of the hour, gave beauty beyond
description to the whole scene. A half-open door showed a fine
marble floor to an adjoining room, with pictures, statues, and
antiquated sofas, and flower-pots filled with rare plants of every
kind and description.
Jerome had scarcely run his eyes over the beauties of the room when
the elderly gentleman whom he had met on the previous evening made
his appearance, followed by the little boy, and introduced himself
as Mr. Devenant. A moment more and a lady, a beautiful brunette,
dressed in black, with long black curls hanging over her
shoulders, entered the room. Her dark, bright eyes flashed as she
caught the first sight of Jerome.
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