midday sun
The floor was covered with a very rich and handsome Turkey carpet , into which one sank almost to the ankles , as into a thick bed of soft moss ; chairs , couches , and divans of exquisite shape and seductive capacity were scattered here and there about the apartment , and at its fore or wider end stood , close together , a grand piano and a chamber organ , both in superbly modelled aethereum cases , and both , it need scarcely be said , of the finest quality and workmanship obtainable ; while the narrower or after end was almost filled by a capacious electric stove , or fireplace , with a most singularly handsome mantelpiece , supported on either side by a beautifully modelled female figure . The centre of the mantelpiece was occupied by a handsome clock , having a set of silvery chimes for the quarters and a deep , rich-toned gong for the hours , and on either side of it were a number of elegantly shaped vases , full of choice hot-house flowers . But the most striking feature of the whole apartment was its beautiful coved and panelled ceiling , with its exquisitely moulded interlacing ribs , the choice and dainty paintings that adorned its panels , and the magnificent skylight that occupied its centre . This skylight , it may be mentioned , was such only in appearance , as it did not pierce the deck or derive its light from the outside ; it was merely a fanciful and decorative device of the professor 's , the light emanating from a series of electric lamps shaded by coloured glass screens , so tinted as to permit , by the simple manipulation of certain concealed mirrors , the effect of every description of light , from that of the unclouded midday sun , through every gradation of morning or afternoon light , to that of sunset , the softest dusk of evening , or even the light of the full moon . The apartment presented a charmingly cosy and comfortable as well as attractive appearance as the four men entered it , the electric stove emitting a cheerful glow and diffusing just the right degree of warmth , while an afternoon effect of brilliant sunlight streamed richly down through the magnificent stained-glass of the skylight in the centre of the ceiling . Lady Olivia and her guest , the young Russian girl , were sitting together on a large divan , in close contiguity to a handsome music cabinet , turning over books and sheets of music , for Feodorovna had consented to sing , and was now searching her hostess 's stock of music in quest of something with which she was familiar . `` Ach , that is good ! ''