Pillars supported the ceiling in the middle, and the walls were in several places painted with heads or landscapes, the work of artists who had made their abode here; one or two cases with glass doors showed relics of Pompeii.
Elgar was one of the company.

When he became aware of Mallard's arrival, he stood up with a cry of "All hail!" and pointed to a seat near him.
"I began to be afraid you wouldn't come this evening.

Try the risotto; it's excellent.

Ye gods! what an appetite I had when I sat down! To-day have I ascended Vesuvius.

How many bottles of wine I drank between starting and returning I cannot compute; I never knew before what it was to be athirst.