A famous gallery of paintings, valued at millions of francs, occupied the whole of the northern side of the house.

And the grand staircase, of a sumptuousness which also was famous, conducted to the apartments usually occupied by the family, a large red drawing-room, a small blue and silver drawing-room, a study whose walls were hung with old stamped leather, and a dining-room in pale green with English furniture, not to mention the various bedchambers and dressing-rooms.
Built in the time of Louis XIV.

the mansion retained an aspect of noble grandeur, subordinated to the epicurean tastes of the triumphant _bourgeoisie_, which for a century now had reigned by virtue of the omnipotence of money.
Noon had not yet struck, and Baron Duvillard, contrary to custom, found himself the first in the little blue and silver _salon_.

He was a man of sixty, tall and sturdy, with a large nose, full cheeks, broad, fleshy lips, and wolfish teeth, which had remained very fine.

He had, however, become bald at an early age, and dyed the little hair that was left him.
Moreover, since his beard had turned white, he had kept his face clean-shaven.