frame embellished with tiny figure subjects, and measuring two metres in
width and three in height, fills a whole panel of the vestibule.
Portieres of Chinese satin, ornamented with striking embroidery, such as
figures on a priest's chasuble, fall in sumptuous folds at the
drawing-room and dining-room doors.

The drawing-room contains a splendid set of Louis Quatorze furniture, of
gilt wood, upholstered in fine tapestry, in an extraordinary state of
preservation. Three crystal lustres, hanging at intervals along the room,
sparkle like diamonds. The hangings, of woven silk and gold, are those
which were sent as a present by Louis Quatorze to Monsieur de Pimentel,
the Spanish Ambassador, to reward him for the part he had taken in the
conclusion of the Treaty of the Pyrenees. These hangings are unique, and
were brought back from Spain in 1814, in the baggage-train of Soult's
army, and sold to an inhabitant of Toulouse for ten thousand francs. It
was there that Madame Desvarennes discovered them in a garret in 1864,
neglected by the grandchildren of the buyer, who were ignorant of the
immense value of such unrivalled work. Cleverly mended, they are to-day
the pride of the great trader's drawing-room. On the mantelpiece there is
a large clock in Chinese lacquer, ornamented with gilt bronze, made on a
model sent out from Paris in the reign of Louis Quatorze, and
representing the Flight of the Hours pursued by Time.

Adjoining the great drawing-room is a boudoir upholstered in light gray
silk damask, with bouquets of flowers. This is Madame Desvarennes's
favorite room. A splendid Erard piano occupies one side of the apartment.
Facing it is a sideboard in sculptured ebony, enriched with bronze, by
Gouthieres. There are only two pictures on the walls: "The Departure of
the Newly Married Couple," exquisitely painted by Lancret; and "The
Prediction," an adorable work by Watteau, bought at an incredible price
at the Pourtales sale. Over the chimney-piece is a miniature by
Pommayrac, representing Micheline as a little child--a treasure which
Madame Desvarennes cannot behold without tears coming to her eyes. A
door, hidden by curtains, opens on to a staircase leading directly to the
courtyard.

The dining-room is in the purest Renaissance style austere woodwork;
immense chests of caned pearwood, on which stand precious ewers in Urbino
ware, and dishes by Bernard Palissy. The high stone fireplace is
surmounted by a portrait of Dian