After a little conversation Madam Talboys led us into a handsome hall, with a table in the centre, on which ample preparations for supper were spread, the light from a dozen wax candles falling on the cut glass, the silver forks and glittering steel, and an epergne filled with fragrant flowers, surrounded by dishes containing salads, fruits of every description, and other cold viands.
"Paddy Finn"
W. H. G. Kingston
The gentleman on his left, an insignificant-looking little civilian with thin, fair hair, screwed up his eyes and drew up his lips in what might have been a smile or a sneer, and stared at the gentleman on the Major's left, holding himself a little sidewise so as to peer between one of the silver branches and the epergne.
"The Master of the Ceremonies"
George Manville Fenn
After giving utterance to them, she paced backward and forward; now standing in the portal and gazing along the road; now returning to the sola de comida, to look upon the table, with cloth spread, wines decantered, fruits and flowers on the epergne-all but the dishes that waited serving till Valerian should show himself.
"The Lone Ranche"
Captain Mayne Reid