Welcome. Welcome back, everyone to 1001 Stories for the Road and the Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas.

Today, Chapter 47, The Dappled Grays.

The Baron, followed by the Count,

traversed a long series of apartments

in which the prevailing characteristics

were heavy magnificence

and the gaudiness of ostentatious wealth

until he reached the boudoir of Madame Danglars.

A small octagonal-shaped room

hung with pink satin,

covered with white Indian muslin. The chairs were of

ancient workmanship and materials. Over the doors were painted sketches of shepherds and shepherdesses,

after the style and manner of bouche, and at each side pretty medallions and crayons,

harmonizing well with the furnishings of this charming apartment,

the only one throughout the great mansion in which any distinctive taste prevailed.

The truth was, it had been entirely overlooked in the plan arranged and followed out by

Monsieur Danglars and his architect, who had been selected to aid the Baron in the great work of

improvement solely because he was the most fashionable and celebrated decorator of the day.

The decorations of the boudoir had then been left entirely to Madame Danglars and Lucian

Debray.

Madame Danglars, however, while possessing a great admiration for the antique, as it was understood during the time of the directory, entertained the most sovereign contempt for the simple elegance of his wife's favorite sitting-room, where, by the way, he was never permitted to intrude.

Unless, indeed, he excused his own appearance by ushering in some more agreeable visitor than himself,

...