Noon
And the grand staircase , of a sumptuousness which also was famous , conducted to the apartments usually occupied by the family , a large red drawing-room , a small blue and silver drawing-room , a study whose walls were hung with old stamped leather , and a dining-room in pale green with English furniture , not to mention the various bedchambers and dressing-rooms . Built in the time of Louis XIV . the mansion retained an aspect of noble grandeur , subordinated to the epicurean tastes of the triumphant _ bourgeoisie _ , which for a century now had reigned by virtue of the omnipotence of money . Noon had not yet struck , and Baron Duvillard , contrary to custom , found himself the first in the little blue and silver _ salon _ . He was a man of sixty , tall and sturdy , with a large nose , full cheeks , broad , fleshy lips , and wolfish teeth , which had remained very fine . He had , however , become bald at an early age , and dyed the little hair that was left him . Moreover , since his beard had turned white , he had kept his face clean-shaven .