It seemed incredible that there should be no better inn at a place like Bonifacio, one of the five principal towns in the island; but so it was; though the excellent fare and unceasing care and attention of the active little landlord deserved every commendation.
This man's French was most extraordinary, and had it not been that he took such evident pride in its display, we should have informed him that his Italian was the more comprehensible; but his kindness was excessive and his charges most moderate.
He was particularly anxious to impress upon us the fact that a handsome house, now building in the main street, was his new hotel, which would be opened by next summer, so that we should have very different accommodation on our next visit.
He also insisted strongly upon the cleanliness of his house, and his knowledge of the English prejudices against creeping beasts.
"Mesdames," said he, emphatically, "pour chaque punaise que vous trauverez ce soir, vous pourrez me donner un soufflet demain matin!"
With which handsome offer he led the way to the house, a few doors lower down the street, where was the "extra apartment," making many apologies as to its present state of untidiness, which would be remedied directly.
Any place more cut-throat-looking than this room I never saw. It was a sort of long low garret at the very top of an apparently deserted house, up four or five flights of wooden stairs, and led out of another lumber garret, as bare and unfurnished as itself.
"Don't sleep here," said No. 3; "you will dream of brigands all night!"
"You will be choked with dust, and devoured by fleas," said No. 1.
"I hope they will clean it out," said No. 2, whose nerves were brigand-proof; "and I hope the house won't catch fire. But I shall sleep here."