northern and southern hemispheres. This, with several of the large drop
curtains, served as adjuncts to the well equipped observatory which was
located in one of the large towers at the rear of the mansion.

On the main floor, on each side of the front hall, were the two grand
parlors, whose exact dimensions have been stated heretofore. They were
carpeted and furnished with all the art and luxury that skill could
devise, or wealth could procure. Two wide archways of Moorish style and
majestic proportions, opened from each parlor into the main hall. The
chief adornments which marked these fine parlors as unapproachably
superb, were two immense mirrors, alike in every way, mounted in heavy
frames, rich with leaf gold. They occupied the entire wall space at the
rear end of these enchanting saloons of artistic luxury. When
distinguished groups of brave men and beautiful women were assembled
here, the magical effect of these mirrors in reproducing the brilliant
company as one magnificently framed panoramic picture, was ever the
source of perpetual admiration and delight. On such occasions the
thirty feet of the main hall in front of the stairway, served as the
third or reception parlor. The grand stairway shone resplendent as one
magnificent centerpiece of loveliness. Up the long flight on either
side, it was banked by a wealth of potted flowers, ferns and palms,
festooned with wreaths of lovely smilax. Just in front of this unrivaled
background of beauty, standing alone upon the movable reception
platform, which was merely a small circular extension of the first step
of the grand stairway, the charming young hostess of Fenwick Hall, with
the grace and courtesy of a born princess, gave a greeting of welcome to
her delighted guests, or dismissed them with a gracious smile as they
entered or retired.

The library, in the rear of the parlor at the left of the main hall and
separated from it by the cross hall, was an exceedingly imposing and
attractive room. With its quiet array of costly appointments, it seemed
to possess some hidden charm. Its mahogany shelves were laden with a
rare collection of choice books, elegantly bound, skillfully arranged
and classified. The assortment of scientific books was a remarkably
large one. Marble statues, and exquisitely painted portraits of a host
of famous authors and artists, whose works had enriched the literature
of the world, fittingly adorned this ideal realm of drowsy quiet, where
b