23
dispersing the obscurity, increased it. The two friends, walking arm in arm, only saw before them a darkness without end, when a door belonging to a house, which they had not before perceived, suddenly opened, and discovered to them a hall and marble staircase, feebly lighted by a lamp, like that which the Count de Nevers had seen in the mysterious cavern; when the Negress taking the lamp, turned to them on the first step of the stairs, and desired them to follow her.
After having walked through a long corridor, they entered a large saloon. The Negress put her lamp on a table which was near the door, and without speaking retired, shutting it after her.
The two friends having advanced to the middle of this large room—"This prison is at least magnificent, as far as I can judge," said the Scur de Joinville, feeling the furniture, "for the feeble light of the lamp will not allow me to see:—it is all velvet, with gold or silver fringes!" As he said this, a crystal chandelier, filled with perfumed lights, descended from the middle of the ceiling, and illuminated the room.
The door opened, and the lady, or rather a figure of dazzling beauty and majestic appearance, entered the saloon: she had the features of the lady of the mysterious cavern, but the most lively and beautiful colour had succeeded to the extreme paleness of her complexion, which made her appear ten years younger. Her tall and slender figure was heightened by a long robe of white gauze, which fell in graceful folds upon the floor, fastened by a girdle of pearls and precious stones; a bandeau of purple velvet, ornamented with diamonds in the form of a crown, encircled her head; and a black Spanish cloak, covered with unknown characters, completed her dress, and rendered it as extraordinary as it was magnificent. She held in
