How perfumed it is, not with any meretricious artificial scents, but with the clean and honest smell of sweet live flowers.

Yes, though I am aware that Mrs.Huntley has no conservatory, yet hot-house flowers and airy ferns are scattered about the room in far greater profusion than in mine, with all Roger's imposing range of glass--scattered about here, there, and everywhere; not as if they were a rare and holiday treat, but a most common, every-day occurrence.

There is not much work to be seen about, and _not a book_! On the other hand, lounging-chairs, suited to the length or shortness of _any_ back; rococo photograph stands, framing either a great many men, or a few men in a great many attitudes; soothing pictures--_decollete_ Venuses, Love's _greuze_ heads--tied up with rose-ribbon, and a sleepy half-light.

On a small table at the owner's elbow, a blue-velvet jeweler's case stands open.

On its white-satin lining my long-sighted eyes enable me to decipher the name of Hunt and Roskell; and it does not need any long sight to observe the solid breadth of the gold band bracelet, set with large, dull turquoises and little points of brilliant light, which is its occupant.