“This was a surprisingly spacious area created by the removal of the door connecting two bedchambers. The beds had also been whisked away, replaced in one room by a good-sized dining-table tastefully adorned with snowy napery, and in the other by two sofas, small occasional tables, and three armchairs. Fires blazed on both hearths, and several candelabra sent their brightness to reflect on gleaming silverware and sparkling glasses. Small crystal vases held sprays of leaves and fern, with here an...d there the colourful splash of an early blossom or artificial flower. The rooms, which had previously been very clean but on the stark side, were now silent but eloquent testimonials to the artistry by which superior servants were able to transform the commonplace into the elegant for those who paid high wages for just such skills. The instant the footman softly closed the door, Cranford realized that he was ill prepared for this gathering. The duke, known to dress in the height of fashion, was a vision of sartorial splendour in a magnificent French wig and a superbly tailored black velvet coat trimmed with gold lace.MoreLessRead More Read Less
Read book The Riddle of the Shipwrecked Spinster for free
You can download books for free in various formats, such as epub, pdf, azw, mobi, txt and others on book networks site. Additionally, the entire text is available for online reading through our e-reader. Our site is not responsible for the performance of third-party products (sites).
User Reviews: