The likeness passed away, like a breath along the surface of the gaunt pier-glass behind her, on the frame of which, a hospital procession of negro cupids, several headless and all cripples, were offering black baskets of Dead Sea fruit to black divinities of the feminine gender—
Could this be a bit of racism? I would argue no. I think the juxtaposition of "negro" and "cupid" is an interesting comparison. He might be attempting to make a comment on the dehumanization of black people similar to that of the French Revolution. Similar to a corruption of innocence in a way.
