The Count of Monte Cristo

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when they had passed, he brought up the rear, and on his face was a
smile, which, if they could have understood it, would have alarmed them
much more than a visit to the room they were about to enter. They began
by walking through the apartments, many of which were fitted up in
the Eastern style, with cushions and divans instead of beds, and pipes
instead of furniture. The drawing-rooms were decorated with the rarest
pictures by the old masters, the boudoirs hung with draperies from
China, of fanciful colors, fantastic design, and wonderful texture. At
length they arrived at the famous room. There was nothing particular
about it, excepting that, although daylight had disappeared, it was not
lighted, and everything in it was old-fashioned, while the rest of the
rooms had been redecorated. These two causes were enough to give it
a gloomy aspect. "Oh." cried Madame de Villefort, "it is really
frightful." Madame Danglars tried to utter a few words, but was not
heard. Many observations were made, the import of which was a unanimous
opinion that there was something sinister about the room. "Is it not
so?" asked Monte Cristo. "Look at that large clumsy bed, hung with such