On the walls Cupids and blithesome nymphs were careering in fresco.

The floor was soft with carpets.

A dull scent of burning incense from a little brazier, smoking before a bronze Minerva, in one corner of the room, hung heavy on the air.

The sun was shining warm and bright without, but the windows of the hall were small and high and the shutters also were drawn.

Everything was cool, still, and dark.