It was a large apartment, decorated in the Adams style and furnished as a luxurious drawing-room.

At the side near the window there was a long table covered with green baize.

Round this several gentlemen in evening dress were standing.

Others played games of their own at separate small tables, but most of them devoted themselves to baccarat.
Maraquito held the bank.

Her couch was drawn up against the wall, and the red silk curtains of the window made a vivid background to her dark beauty.
She was, indeed, a handsome woman--so much of her as could be seen.
Half-sitting, half-reclining on her couch, the lower part of her frame was swathed in eastern stuffs sparkling with gold threads.