And the sum total of her thoughts was gratified vanity.
Her bright presence awakened the gloom of ages within the dimly lit historic rooms.

Her laugh sounded strangely light and frivolous and shallow in the silence of the ages which had brooded within these walls since the days of Tamerlane.

It was perhaps the greatest tragedy of the Alexis family, this beautiful tragedy that walked by the side of Paul.
"I am glad your grandfather brought French architects here and built the modern side," she said.

"These rooms are, of course, very interesting, but gloomy--horribly gloomy, Paul.

There is a smell of ghosts and dulness." "All the same, I like these rooms," answered Paul.