The furniture was
all upholstered in white cashmere, emphasised by trimmings of the same
combination of black and poppy-red. The clock, the candle-sticks, all
the ornaments, were of white marble and gold. The only table in the
room had a cashmere covering. Graceful jardinieres contained roses of
all species having blossoms of red or white."
Theophile Gautier has borne witness to the accuracy of this
description; but as though wishing to show him the double aspect of his
life, Balzac, after willingly exhibiting in detail all the luxury of
his boudoir, led him to a corner recess, necessitated by the rounded
form of one side of the room; and there, hidden behind the ostentatious
decoration, there was nothing but a narrow iron cot, a table and a
chair; this was where he worked.
Balzac disliked being disturbed while working; and, for the double
reason of avoiding unwelcome visitors and throwing his creditors off
the scent, he had invented a whole series of pass-words, which it was
necessary to know before one could penetrate to his apartment.
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