Chapter 3

The room was quite large and, overlooking the street, fairly bright. The windows were covered with muslin curtains, so the light that filtered in was diffuse, and the feel of it pearly and peaceful. Two walls of the room were covered with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a third wall having a cot against it, and near this a single sitting chair and small coffee table. In the center of the room was an enormous, ancient desk, covered in papers, in one corner a small wooden structure holding letters.