It was a library. High pieces of furniture, of black violet ebony inlaid with brass, supported upon their wide shelves a great number of books uniformly bound.
They followed the shape of the room, terminating at the lower part in huge
divans, covered with brown leather, which were curved, to afford the greatest
divans, covered with brown leather, which were curved, to afford the greatest
comfort. Light movable desks, made to slide in and out at will, allowed one to rest
one's book while reading. In the centre stood an immense table, covered with
pamphlets, amongst which were some newspapers, already of old date. The
electric light flooded everything; it was shed from four unpolished globes half
sunk in the volutes of the ceiling. I looked with real admiration at this room, so
ingeniously fitted up, and I could scarcely believe my eyes. What is the central
idea?
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