There were shelves on the wall containing what appeared to be books, and indeed were so; mostly very small, like our diamond duodecimos, shaped in the fashion of our volumes, and bound in sheets of fine metal.

There were several curious-looking pieces of mechanism scattered about, apparently models, such as might be seen in the study of any professional mechanician.

Four automata (mechanical contrivances which, with these people, answer the ordinary purposes of domestic service) stood phantom-like at each angle in the wall.

In a recess was a low couch, or bed with pillows.

A window, with curtains of some fibrous material drawn aside, opened upon a large balcony.