Silence reigned here.

There remained no trace of the clumsy comfort which had sufficed the early builder.

Here was no longer a series of modest homes, but a boudoir which might have been the gilded cage of some favorite of an ancient court.

The breath and flavor of this suspicion floated in every drapery, swam in the faint perfume which filled the place.

My first impression was that of surprise; my second, as I have said, a feeling of resentment at the presumption which installed all this in our capital of Washington.
I presume my thought may have been reflected in some manner in my face.
I heard a gentle laugh, and turned about.