- description
- # I.
## Overview
This is a section from the novel *Pierre; or, The Ambiguities* by Herman Melville, extracted from the file [pierre.txt](arke:01KG89J1JSYKSGCE149MH9HF6A). It is part of [BOOK XXIV. LUCY AT THE APOSTLES.](arke:01KG8AJV1BGFPB4DMX4FW8WW9J) and is labeled with the title "I.". It is part of the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection.
## Context
This section is preceded by an [Introduction](arke:01KG8AKVZF9AYFD7DTQ78FV7YA) and followed by section [II.](arke:01KG8AKVZFE5V65J7B85FGDPTS) within the chapter [BOOK XXIV. LUCY AT THE APOSTLES.](arke:01KG8AJV1BGFPB4DMX4FW8WW9J) of *Pierre*. The chapter and section were extracted from the plain text file [pierre.txt](arke:01KG89J1JSYKSGCE149MH9HF6A) as part of the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection.
## Contents
The section describes a room being prepared for Lucy, with Pierre, Isabel, and Delly present. The room is sparsely furnished with faded carpeting, a small glass, a little stand, and a cot. Isabel expresses concern about the lack of warmth in the room, suggesting a change to the pipe to redirect heat. Pierre insists on keeping the pipe as it is and promises to provide a fire for Lucy. The section ends with Pierre stating that Lucy may arrive at any moment and leads Isabel and Delly to the dining room.
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- I.
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- text
- I.
Next morning, the recently appropriated room adjoining on the other side
of the dining-room, presented a different aspect from that which met the
eye of Delly upon first unlocking it with Pierre on the previous
evening. Two squares of faded carpeting of different patterns, covered
the middle of the floor, leaving, toward the surbase, a wide, blank
margin around them. A small glass hung in the pier; beneath that, a
little stand, with a foot or two of carpet before it. In one corner was
a cot, neatly equipped with bedding. At the outer side of the cot,
another strip of carpeting was placed. Lucy's delicate feet should not
shiver on the naked floor.
Pierre, Isabel, and Delly were standing in the room; Isabel's eyes were
fixed on the cot.
"I think it will be pretty cosy now," said Delly, palely glancing all
round, and then adjusting the pillow anew.
"There is no warmth, though," said Isabel. "Pierre, there is no stove in
the room. She will be very cold. The pipe--can we not send it this way?"
And she looked more intently at him, than the question seemed to
warrant.
"Let the pipe stay where it is, Isabel," said Pierre, answering her own
pointed gaze. "The dining-room door can stand open. She never liked
sleeping in a heated room. Let all be; it is well. Eh! but there is a
grate here, I see. I will buy coals. Yes, yes--that can be easily done;
a little fire of a morning--the expense will be nothing. Stay, we will
have a little fire here now for a welcome. She shall always have fire."
"Better change the pipe, Pierre," said Isabel, "that will be permanent,
and save the coals."
"It shall not be done, Isabel. Doth not that pipe and that warmth go
into thy room? Shall I rob my wife, good Delly, even to benefit my most
devoted and true-hearted cousin?"
"Oh! I should say not, sir; not at all," said Delly hysterically.
A triumphant fire flashed in Isabel's eye; her full bosom arched out;
but she was silent.
"She may be here, now, at any moment, Isabel," said Pierre; "come, we
will meet her in the dining-room; that is our reception-place, thou
knowest."
So the three went into the dining-room.
- title
- I.