th their mantle and supporters, gave the appearance of
a tomb to this species of edifice, which formed a pendant to the bed,
another erection raised to the glory of Hymen. Modern architects would
have been puzzled to decide whether the room had been built for the bed
or the bed for the room. Two cupids playing on the walnut headboard,
wreathed with garlands, might have passed for angels; and columns of
the same wood, supporting the tester were carved with mythological
allegories, the explanation of which could have been found either in the
Bible or Ovid's Metamorphoses. Take away the bed, and the same tester
would have served in a church for the canopy of the pulpit or the
seats of the wardens. The married pair mounted by three steps to this
sumptuous couch, which stood upon a platform and was hung with curtains
of green silk covered with brilliant designs called "ramages"--possibly
because the birds of gay plumage there depicted were supposed to
sing. The folds of these immense curtains were so stiff that in the
semi-darkness they might have been taken for some metal fabric. On the
green velvet hanging, adorned with gold fringes, which covered the foot
of this lordly couch the superstition of the Comtes d'Herouville had
affixed a large crucifix, on which their chaplain placed a fresh branch
of sacred box when he renewed at Easter the holy water in the basin at
the foot of the cross.

On one side of the fireplace stood a large box or wardrobe of choice
woods magnificently carved, such as brides receive even now in the
provinces on their wedding day. These old chests, now so much in request
by antiquaries, were the arsenals from which women drew the rich and
elegant treasures of their personal adornment,--laces, bodices,
high collars and ruffs, gowns of price, alms-purses, masks, gloves,
veils,--in fact all the inventions of coquetry in the sixteenth century.

On the other side, by way of symmetry, was another piece of furniture,
somewhat similar in shape, where the countess kept her books, papers,
and jewels. Antique chairs covered with damask, a large and greenish
mirror, made in Venice, and richly framed in a sort of rolling
toilet-table, completed the furnishings of the room. The floor was
covered with a Persian carpet, the richness of which proved the
gallantry of the count; on the upper step of the bed stood a little
table, on which the waiting-woman served every night in a gold or silver
cup a drink prepared with