13/19 There was no profusion of unmeaning dishes; each was a _bonne-bouche_--an undeniable delicacy. The glass was beautiful, the plates silver. The flowers rose like walls from the table; the plate massive and glorious; rose-water in the hand-glasses; music crept in from the garden, deliciously subdued into what seemed a natural sound. A broad stream of southern sun gushed in fiery gold through the open window, and, like a red-hot rainbow, danced through the stained glass above it. Existence was a thing to bask in--in such a place, and so happy an hour! The guests were Quin, Mrs.Clive, Mr.Cibber, Sir Charles Pomander, Mrs. |