If the hall was pompous it was also dismal with its heavy columns, its cold allegorical statues, and its stretches of bare marble and woodwork.

The only brightness was that of the red velvet of the benches and the gallery hand-rests.
Every deputy of any consequence who entered was named by Massot to his companions.

Mege, on being stopped by another member of the little Socialist group, began to fume and gesticulate.

Then Vignon, detaching himself from a group of friends and putting on an air of smiling composure, descended the steps towards his seat.

The occupants of the galleries, however, gave most attention to the accused members, those whose names figured in Sagnier's list.