And now I felt a gentle push at the small of my back, and a tug at my hand

And now I felt a gentle push at the small of my back, and a tug at my hand, as if the room itself was inviting me in. “No--my shoes--” I began, but the push and the tug became firmer and I found myself stepping awkwardly across the threshold, onto the embroidered crimson velvet. The furniture was as grand as the room itself, carved and gilded and polished until it glowed in the sunlight streaming in the windows. There was an enormous bed on a dais, canopied in gold with a sheer white counterpane; the largest dressing-table I could imagine, covered with brushes and combs and cut-glass bottles of perfume and cosmetics; a writing-desk so elegant I could hardly imagine sitting at it; and rich golden velvet sofas and chairs scattered throughout the room, so that I could sit nearly anywhere if the mood suddenly struck me. I took another step into the room, my eyes wandering from the gorgeous walls to the magnificent furniture to the lofty ceiling hung with crystal chandeliers--the room was so large it needed five of them.