with a stucco dado, formed an entrance into a drawing-room and
dining-room. Out of the drawing-room opened a pretty bedroom, with a
bathroom beyond. Every chimney-shelf had over it a fine mirror elegantly
framed. The doors were crowded with arabesques in good taste, and the
cornices were in the best style. Any amateur would have discerned
there the sense of distinction and decorative fitness which mark the
work of modern French architects.

For above a month Caroline had been at home in this apartment,
furnished by an upholsterer who submitted to an artist's guidance. A
short description of the principal room will suffice to give us an
idea of the wonders it offered to Caroline's delighted eyes when Roger
installed her there. Hangings of gray stuff trimmed with green silk
adorned the walls of her bedroom; the seats, covered with light-colored
woolen sateen, were of easy and comfortable shapes, and in the
latest fashion; a chest of drawers of some simple wood, inlaid with
lines of a darker hue, contained the treasures of the toilet; a
writing-table to match served for inditing love-letters on scented
paper; the bed, with antique draperies, could not fail to suggest
thoughts of love by its soft hangings of elegant muslin; the
window-curtains, of drab silk with green fringe, were always half drawn
to subdue the light; a bronze clock represented Love crowning Psyche;
and a carpet of Gothic design on a red ground set off the other
accessories of this delightful retreat. There was a small
dressing-table in front of a long glass, and here the needlewoman sat,
out of patience with Plaisir, the famous hairdresser.

"Do you think you will have done to-day?" said she.

"Your hair is so long and so thick, madame," replied Plaisir.