There were soft rugs, rich, upholstered chairs and divans, a grand piano, a marble carving of some unknown Venus by some unknown artist, and a number of small bronzes gathered from heaven knows where, but generally sold by the large furniture houses along with everything else which goes to make the "perfectly appointed house." In the dining-room stood a sideboard laden with glistening decanters and other utilities and ornaments in glass, the arrangement of which could not be questioned.

Here was something Hurstwood knew about.

He had studied the subject for years in his business.

He took no little satisfaction in telling each Mary, shortly after she arrived, something of what the art of the thing required.

He was not garrulous by any means.