On entering the room the eye was immediately attracted to these four pictures, and riveted as if fascinated.

If it wandered it was only to return and contemplate the four expressions on the faces of the two women, who were as like each other as two sisters.

And the very style of these works, in their shining frames, crisp, sharp, and highly finished, with the elegance of a fashion plate, suggested a sense of cleanliness and propriety which was confirmed by the rest of the fittings.

The seats were always in precisely the same order, some against the wall and some round the circular centre-table.

The immaculately white curtains hung in such straight and regular pleats that one longed to crumple them a little; and never did a grain of dust rest on the shade under which the gilt clock, in the taste of the first empire--a terrestrial globe supported by Atlas on his knees--looked like a melon left there to ripen.
The two women as they sat down somewhat altered the normal position of their chairs.
"You have not been out this morning ?" asked Mme.