The room was large, but had an oppressively low ceiling, painted grey with vulgar blue arabesques; three windows, one close to the foot of the bed, were smothered in heavy draperies, and the massive bed itself was burdened with huge pillows and counterpanes. The bridal trunks and portmanteaux completed the barricade, and Regina's sense of asphyxia perceptibly increased. Silent and sad she surveyed the ugly room; she seemed lost in some painful dream, in some strange prison where everything fettered and mortally oppressed her. Oh dear! all these people! These women, who surrounded, crushed, smothered her! Tired and sleepy, her physical irritability made itself almost morbidly felt at the touch of all these unknown, inquisitive, cruel people. She was yearning for solitude and repose; at any rate she wanted to wash, dress, rearrange her hair. They did not leave her a moment alone. Claretta had no notion of forsaking the looking-glass; Arduina, on the look out for copy, catechised her about her impressions; the mother-in-law never stopped staring with lachrymose eyes. Regina took off her hat and cloak; her little face, all eyes and lips, seemed pale and frightened under the waves of her hair, black, abundant and curly. Antonio was paying no heed to his bride; he arranged the luggage, and asked his mother news of this one and that. The old lady puffed and sighed, and answered his questions, but never took her eyes off the new daughter-in-law. "Where shall I wash my hands?" asked Regina. Her warm brown eyes, generally velvety and sweet, were now drooping with fatigue, and in expression almost wild. "Here!" cried Arduina, precipitating herself on the washstand, "you'll find everything here, dear! soap, powder, comb--What sort of soap do you like?" Regina did not answer. Mechanically she washed herself, accepting the towel which her sister-in-law presented, and smoothed her hair, stooping to look in the low looking-glass. "Sit down," said Arduina, setting a chair, "you can't see like that." "No, I can't see sitting; I'm short-sighted," said Regina, with increasing irritation. This piece of news plunged the ladies into consternation. Claretta actually turned her back on the glass; Signora Anna, who was examining the lining of Regina's cloak, looked up almost in tears; Arduina studied her sister-in-law's beautiful orbs with astonishment. "Short-sighted? With such lovely eyes! and so young!" exclaimed the old lady. "Have you eye-glasses?" asked Claretta. "Yes, but they're no good. I hate them." "They're very _chic_ though," said Arduina. "My dear, do loosen your hair at your temples--it's too dragged. What splendid hair you have! I'll do it for you to-morrow. Wait a moment--" and she raised her hand; but the bride's little head, which seemed so small and insignificant, shook itself fiercely. "No, no. It will do well enough," she said.