CHAPTER 4: Carried Off.
It was with a feeling of considerable discomfort, and some awe, that Francis Hammond followed his conductor to the chamber of the Council.
It was a large and stately apartment.

The decorations were magnificent, and large pictures, representing events in the wars of Venice, hung round the walls.

The ceiling was also superbly painted.

The cornices were heavily gilded.

Curtains of worked tapestry hung by the windows, and fell behind him as he entered the door.
At a table of horseshoe shape eleven councillors, clad in the long scarlet robes, trimmed with ermine, which were the distinguishing dress of Venetian senators, were seated--the doge himself acting as president.