Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/134

MY LADY OF THE SOUTH of the first floor, and the drapery of a portière permitted egress into the broad hall extending the entire length of the main house. At a glance I was impressed by the height of ceiling, the air of elegant comfort displayed in furnishing and decoration. Wealth, combined with excellent taste, was in evidence everywhere. Several doors opened to right and left; a broad, carpeted stairway ran curving upward to the second story, and in the recess behind were a sewing table and two rockers. A colored maid occupied one of these, busily engaged with her needle, but rose instantly at our appearance, her eyes opening wide as she stared at my uniform.

"Has the Judge come down yet, Tillie?" Miss Denslow questioned.

"Deed he has, Miss," her teeth showing in a sudden smile. "Alphonse helped him into de library 'bout twenty minutes ago."

"I wonder Alphonse escaped from you so soon."

"Oh, go way," coquettishly, "de Jedge sent him after some hot water."

We went forward to a door which opened to the left of the stairs, and the girl knocked lightly. A deep voice answered, and I followed as she instantly stepped within. The two windows were to the west, the curtains partially drawn so as to leave the large apartment in shadow. For a moment I could perceive little except a heavily carved library table, and rows of books along the wall. Then I saw, still dimly, the motionless figure of a man sitting opposite, and directly facing us. I could distinguish merely the face and the upper portion of the body, [ 124 ]