_You_ should dine upon a crust, you know.

A genius without his crust, huh! A devil without his tail, or an ass without his long ears!" Most conspicuous in the brilliant throng assembled in that banquet hall, was the horrid figure of Mr.Taine who sat in his wheeled chair at the head of the table; his liveried attendant by his side.

Frequently--as though compelled--eyes were turned toward that master of the feast, who was, himself, so far past feasting; and toward his beautiful young wife--the only woman in the room, whose shoulders and arms were not bare.
At first, the talk moved somewhat heavily.

Neighbor chattered nothings to neighbor in low tones.

It was as though the foreboding presence of some grim, unbidden guest overshadowed the spirits of the company But gradually the scene became more animated The glitter of silver and crystal on the board; the sparkle of jewels and the wealth of shimmering colors that costumed the diners; with the strains of music that came from somewhere behind a floral screen that filled the air with fragrance; concealed, as it were, the hideous image of immorality which was the presiding genius of the feast.