Sentence:  Babbitt's party politely edged through them and into the whitewashed room, at the front of which was a <WSD>dais</WSD> with a red-plush throne and a pine altar painted watery blue, as used nightly by the Grand Masters and Supreme Potentates of innumerable lodges. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A raised platform in a room for a high table, a seat of honour, a throne, or other dignified occupancy; a similar platform supporting a lectern, pulpit, etc., which may be used to speak from. (from c. 1800.)