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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from The Lesser Bourgeoisie by Honore de Balzac: the bell-cord had disappeared. La Peyrade's first thought was that one
of those serious illnesses which make all noises intolerable to a
patient would explain its absence; but with the thought came other
observations that weakened it, and which, moreover, were not in
themselves comforting.
From the vestibule to the countess's door a stair carpet, held at each
step by a brass rod, made a soft ascent to the feet of visitors; this,
too, had been removed. A screen-door covered with green velvet and
studded with brass nails had hitherto protected the entrance to the
apartment; of that no sign, except the injury to the wall done by the
workmen in taking it away. For a moment the barrister thought, in his
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