"Paul Clifford", Chapter 30, by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Before he came, everything loved me, and I had more things to love
than I could reckon by the hairs of my head. Now I feel I can love
but one, and that one has deserted me.... Well, be it so,-
let her perish, let her be anything but mine!-Melmoth.

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drawing room: short form of "withdrawing room", a room to which the host and their guests could withdraw to (from the main reception hall) for more privacy.

The picture used is "Couple in the Drawing Room" by Carlo Stratta. It's from 1890, so almost a hundred years off from our target time, but it is a drawing room, and the sentiment depicted seems appropriate, even if the people don't have quite the right look, the guy especially.

To follow along: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/7735/7735-h/7735-h.htm#link2HCH0030

I feel like the volume I used for moot of this chapter is the volume I should be going for more generally. Why it was softer here than most chapters is hopefully obvious, but I feel like the result is much more pleasing to listen to.