The palms and flowers on the terraces before him were undisturbed by a single cold breath.

The marble work of parapets and steps was unsplintered by frosts.

The whole was like a conservatory with the sky for its dome.
For want of other occupation he went round towards the public entrance to the Casino, and ascended the great staircase into the pillared hall.
It was possible, after all, that upon leaving the hotel and sending on their luggage they had taken another turn through the rooms, to follow by a later train.

With more than curiosity he scanned first the reading-rooms, only however to see not a face that he knew.

He then crossed the vestibule to the gaming-tables.
IV.
Here he was confronted by a heated phantasmagoria of splendour and a high pressure of suspense that seemed to make the air quiver.