248 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. [v.

 

hung upon the walls, which were also adorned with
first-rate pictures by the best artists of the best
schools. There were tables of different kinds of ex-
pensive woods; chairs of various sizes and shapes,
covered with rose-coloured chintz; cabinets filled
with rare and precious objects; all these things met
his eye as he gazed around him in mute surprise and
admiration at the exquisite taste which was every-
where displayed, and the evidence of wealth which he
saw on all sides. A soft carpet of beautiful pattern
covered the floor, the mantel-piece was of white
marble, on the front of which was a wonderfully carved
figure of Cleopatra, with the fatal asp about to be
applied to her breast, a marvellous work of art which
caught the eye immediately, and invited it to rest with
pleasure upon so beautiful a design. The room was
lighted by three windows in the large bow which
formed its front, and in the centre window was
the sofa upon which Harry found himself.
Having completed his survey of the room, he
looked out of the window upon a beautiful lawn, en-
tirely surrounded on three sides by a circle of magni-
ficent rhododendrons, which must have ‘been most
delightful to look upon.a few months earlisr in the
year. As it was August, however, they had gone off
after the usual fashion of rhododendrons, and had
only their green leaves to remind you of what they
had been in the days of their beauty. In the front
part of the lawn, facing the house, there was nothing
to intercept Harry’s view, and it was upon this that
he fixed his eyes after the first moment. Several
gardeners were employed in the seasonable practice. of