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Article THE MASON. ← Page 10 of 23 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Mason.
Taking a rudely-carved horn , which hung suspended by a chain from the portal , he gave three distinct blasts . After beino- carefully reconnoitred by an armed domestic , the gates were opened for their ingress . If the exterior of the building presented a desolate
. aspect , the court-yard into which they were admitted was scarcely less so . Large piles of wood , for winter fuel , nearly filled the area , and the windows of the principal rooms were disfigured by rough outward' casements , rendered necessary bthe inclemency of the season . Adolphe
foly lowed his guide into a large hall , cheerfully li g hted by a pine log fire , around which some dozen serfs were sleeping . An old man , who , from his dress , appeared the chief person of the household , approached , and was directed to conduct the stranger to the principal apartment . The young soldier
followed his conductor in silence , till he entered '; a room furnished with a degree of comfort , if not elegance , which surprised him . The floor was covered with warm skins neatly sewn together as a carpet , while the chairs and couches of dark wood , curiously carved , were furnished with down cushions , affording a luxurious seat to the weary traveller . The walls were hung with thick brown cloth ,
relieved only by a p icture of some patron saint m an antique frame . Opposite the draperied window two book-cases were p laced , one on each side of the fire-place , whence the stove diffused a general heat . Tables , cabinets , and a silver lamp suspended from the ceiling completed the furniture of
the apartment . Scarcely had Adolp he finished his survey , when a lady entered the room . Her manners , even more than the richness of her dress and jewels , indicated her rank—it was the mistress of the mansion into which he had been sounexpectedly introduced ..
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Mason.
Taking a rudely-carved horn , which hung suspended by a chain from the portal , he gave three distinct blasts . After beino- carefully reconnoitred by an armed domestic , the gates were opened for their ingress . If the exterior of the building presented a desolate
. aspect , the court-yard into which they were admitted was scarcely less so . Large piles of wood , for winter fuel , nearly filled the area , and the windows of the principal rooms were disfigured by rough outward' casements , rendered necessary bthe inclemency of the season . Adolphe
foly lowed his guide into a large hall , cheerfully li g hted by a pine log fire , around which some dozen serfs were sleeping . An old man , who , from his dress , appeared the chief person of the household , approached , and was directed to conduct the stranger to the principal apartment . The young soldier
followed his conductor in silence , till he entered '; a room furnished with a degree of comfort , if not elegance , which surprised him . The floor was covered with warm skins neatly sewn together as a carpet , while the chairs and couches of dark wood , curiously carved , were furnished with down cushions , affording a luxurious seat to the weary traveller . The walls were hung with thick brown cloth ,
relieved only by a p icture of some patron saint m an antique frame . Opposite the draperied window two book-cases were p laced , one on each side of the fire-place , whence the stove diffused a general heat . Tables , cabinets , and a silver lamp suspended from the ceiling completed the furniture of
the apartment . Scarcely had Adolp he finished his survey , when a lady entered the room . Her manners , even more than the richness of her dress and jewels , indicated her rank—it was the mistress of the mansion into which he had been sounexpectedly introduced ..