Hanging in the panel at the
right of the stairway was an exquisite little Corot, silvery and
feathery even in the dim light of early dusk. On the opposite side was
a brilliant little Cazin.
The stairs were thickly carpeted. At the top, his guide turned to the
left and led the way down a long corridor. They passed at least four
doors before O'Dowd stopped and threw open the fifth on that side of
the hall. There were still two more doors beyond.
"Suggests a hotel, doesn't it?" said the Irishman, standing aside for
Barnes to enter. "All of the sleeping apartments are on this floor,
and the baths, and boudoirs, and what-not. The garret is above, and
that's where we deposit our family skeletons, intern our grievances,
store our stock of spitefulness, and hide all the little devils that
must come sneaking up from the city with us whether we will or no.
Nothing but good-humour, contentment, happiness and mirth are
permitted to occupy this floor and the one below. I might also add
beauty, for you can't conceive any of the others without it, me
friend. God knows I couldn't be good-natured for a minute if I wasn't
encouraged by beauty appreciative, and as for being contented, happy
or mirthful,--bedad, words fail me! Dabson," he said, addressing the
man who had quietly entered the room through the door behind them, "do
Mr.
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