The walls, blue and white in color, were
panelled in stucco relief. A few family portraits, stiff handlings of
stiff people, were placed each in the exact centre of its respective
panel. There were a few cases of china and a few polished tables. A
crimson Brussels carpet, chosen by Lady Grosville for its
"cheerfulness," covered the floor, and there was a large white sheepskin
rug before the fireplace. A few hyacinths in pots, and the bright fire
supplied the only gay and living notes--before the ladies arrived.
Still, for an English eye, the room had a certain cold charm, was
moreover full of
history. It hardly deserved at any rate the shiver
with which Kitty Bristol looked round it.
But she had little time to dwell upon the room and its meanings, for
Lady Grosville approached her with a manner which still showed signs of
the catastrophe before dinner.
"Kitty, I think you don't know Miss Lyster yet--Mary Lyster--she wants
to be introduced to you."
Mary advanced smiling; Kitty held out a limp hand, and they exchanged a
few words standing in the centre of the floor, while the other guests
found seats.
"What a charming contrast!" said Lady Edith Manley in Lady Grosville's
ear.
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