A very large and very low divan piled up with cushions, covered with tapestry similar to the hangings, occupied one end of the room.

There was no regular window, but instead a large single pane of glass, fixed into the wall of the house; in front of it was a double glass door with moveable panes, and the space between was filled with the most rare flowers.

The grate was replaced by registers adroitly concealed, which maintained in the apartment a temperature fit for hatching silkworms, thus truly harmonising with the furniture.
When Noel entered, a woman, still young, was reclining on the divan, smoking a cigarette.

In spite of the tropical heat, she was enveloped in heavy Cashmere shawls.

She was small, but then only small women can unite in their persons every perfection.