on looking around her , however , as she could perceive no threatening object , as nothing indicated that she ran any real danger , as the bench was comfortably covered with a well-stuffed cushion , as the wall was ornamented with a beautiful cordova leather , and as large red damask curtains , fastened back by gold clasps , floated before the window , she perceived by degrees that her fear was exaggerated , and she began to turn her head to the right and the left , upward and downward .