They are undoubtedly part of 'GELASMA'. Now at Sparta were a
thousand temples and shrines to a thousand different divinities. How
exceedingly strange that the altar of Laughter should have survived
all the others! But in the present instance," he resumed, with a
singular alteration of voice and manner, "I have no right to be
merry at your expense. You might well have been amazed. Europe
cannot produce anything so fine as this, my little regal cabinet. My
other apartments are by no means of the same order; mere ultras of
fashionable insipidity. This is better than fashion --is it not? Yet
this has but to be seen to become the rage --that is, with those who
could afford it at the cost of their entire patrimony. I have guarded,
however, against any such profanation. With one exception you are
the only human being besides myself and my valet, who has been
admitted within the mysteries of these imperial precincts, since
they have been bedizened as you see!"
I bowed in acknowledgment; for the overpowering sense of splendor
and perfume, and music, together with the unexpected eccentricity of
his address and manner, prevented me from expressing, in words, my
appreciation of what I might have construed into a compliment.
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