These he opened in rapid succession, finding nothing but silence and solitude; and Ormiston--who, upon reflection, chose to follow--ran up a wide and sweeping staircase at the end of the hall.

Sir Norman followed him, and they came to a hall similar to the one below.

A door to the right lay open; and both entered without ceremony, and looked around.
The room was spacious, and richly furnished.

Just enough light stole through the oriel window at the further end, draped with crimson satin embroidered with gold, to show it.

The floor was of veined wood of many colors, arranged in fanciful mosaics, and strewn with Turkish rugs and Persian mats of gorgeous colors.