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from thence a full…length photograph of a tall； well…built gentleman of
sixty or thereabouts； whose gray hair； black moustache； and intent；
frowning gaze made up an ensemble more striking than attractive。
〃Is he not handsomepoor papa？〃 she asked。
I said the marchese was certainly a very fine…looking man； and
inwardly thanked my stars that he was safely at Padua； for looking at the
breadth of his chest； the length of his arm； and the somewhat forbidding
cast of his features； I could not help perceiving that 〃poor papa〃 was
precisely one of those persons with whom a prudent man prefers to keep
friends than to quarrel。
And so； by the time that we reached Mestre； we had become quite
friendly and intimate； and had half forgotten； I think； the absurd relation in
which we stood toward each other。 We had rather an awkward moment
when we left the boat and entered our travelling…carriage； for I need
scarcely say that both the boatmen and the grinning vetturino took me for
the bridegroom whose place I temporarily occupied； and they were
pleased to be facetious in a manner which was very embarrassing to me；
but which I could not very well check。 Moreover； I felt compelled so far to
sustain my assumed character as to be specially generous in the manner of
a /buona mano/ to those four jolly watermen； and for the first few miles of
our drive I could not help remembering this circumstance with some regret；
and wondering whether it would occur to Von Rosenau to reimburse me。
Probably our coachman thought that； having a runaway couple to drive；
he ought to make some pretence； at least； of fearing pursuit； for he set off
at such a furious pace that our four half…starved horses were soon beat； and
we had to perform the remainder of the long； hot； dusty journey at a foot's
pace。 I have forgotten how we made the time pass。 I think we slept a good
deal。 I know we were both very tired and a trifle cross when in the evening
we reached Longarone； a small； poverty…stricken village； on the verge of
that dolomite region which； in these latter days； has become so frequented
by summer tourists。
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Tourists usually leave in their wake some of the advantages as well as
the drawbacks of civilisation； and probably there is now a respectable
hotel at Longarone。 I suppose； therefore； that I may say； without risk of
laying myself open to an action for slander； that a more filthy den than the
/osteria/ before which my charge and I alighted no imagination； however
disordered； could conceive。 It was a vast； dismal building； which had
doubtless been the palace of some rich citizen of the republic in days of
yore； but which had now fallen into dishonoured old age。 Its windows and
outside shutters were tightly closed； and had been so； apparently； from
time immemorial； a vile smell of rancid oil and garlic pervaded it in every
part； the cornices of its huge； bare rooms were festooned with blackened
cobwebs； and the dust and dirt of ages had been suffered to accumulate
upon the stone floors of its corridors。 The signorina tucked up her
petticoats as she picked her way along the passages to her bedroom； while
I remained behind to order dinner of the sulky； black…browed padrona to
whom I had already had to explain that my companion and I were not man
and wife； and who； I fear； had consequently conceived no very high
opinion of us。 Happily the priest had already been warned by telegram that
his service would not be required until the morrow； so I was spared the
nuisance of an interview with him。
After a time we sat down to our tete…a…tete dinner。 Such a dinner！ Even
after a lapse of all these years I am unable to think of it without a shudder。
Half famished though we were； we could not do much more than look at
the greater part of the dishes which were set before us； and the climax was
reached when we were served with an astonishing compote； made up； so
far as I was able to judge； of equal proportions of preserved plums and
mustard； to which vinegar and sugar had been superadded。 Both the
signorina and I partook of this horrible mixture； for it really looked as if it
might be rather nice； and when； after the first mouthful； each of us looked
up； and saw the other's face of agony and alarm； we burst into a
simultaneous peal of laughter。 Up to that moment we had been very
solemn and depressed； but the laugh did us good； and sent us to bed in
somewhat better spirits； and the malignant compote at least did us the
service of effectually banishing our appetite。
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STORIES
I forbear to enlarge upon the horrors of the night。 Mosquitos； and other
insects； which； for some reason or other； we English seldom mention； save
under a modest pseudonym； worked their wicked will upon me till
daybreak set me free； and I presume that the fair Bianca was no better off；
for when the breakfast hour arrived I received a message from her to the
effect that she was unable to leave her room。
I was sitting over my dreary little repast； wondering how I should get
through the day； and speculating upon the possibility of my release before
nightfall； and I had just concluded that I must make up my mind to face
another night with the mosquitos and their hardy allies； when； to my great
joy； a slatternly serving…maid came lolloping into the room； and
announced that a gentleman styling himself 〃/il Conte di Rosenau/〃 had
arrived and demanded to see me instantly。 Here was a piece of unlooked…
for good fortune！ I jumped up； and flew to the door to receive my friend；
whose footsteps I already heard on the threshold。
〃My dear； good soul！〃 I cried； 〃this is too delightful！ How did you
manage〃
The remainder of my sentence died away upon my lips； for； alas！ it
was not the missing Alberto whom I had nearly embraced； but a stout； red…
faced； white…moustached gentleman； who was in a violent passion； judging
by the terrific salute of Teutonic expletives with which he greeted my
advance。 Then he； too； desisted as suddenly as I had done； and we both fell