Tales of wonder! [graphic]

"Three women seated at a round table listen intently to a fourth who reads 'The Monk' by M. G. Lewis, one volume of which lies beside her on the table. One, full face, is old and ugly, the others young and comely; they register excited horror. The reader sits in profile to the left, elbows on the table; from an ornamental clasp at her waist hangs a watch, showing that the time is 12.45; a younger sister, hardly grown up faces her. The room is lit by a single candle on the table; beside it lie smoking snuffers in a tray. Curtains are draped across the window, a fire burns in the grate (right). Heavy shadows are thrown. The ornaments on the chimney-piece (the right of which is cut off by the right margin) are a Gorgon looking down at the women, a skeleton from which snakes emerge, and a dragon. On the fireplace is a carving in relief: Pluto carrying off Persephone in his chariot. There is a picture of a man in armour carrying off a protesting young woman, with rape and slaughter indicated in the background. The room is luxuriously furnished, the women are elaborately dressed."--British Museum online catalogue