“It’s just near here,” replied my companion. “I’ve got the name on a card, so I can show it to people if I get lost.”
She resorted once more to her chatelaine bag and produced a card on which I read the réclame of a very grubby little inn occasionally patronised by travellers anxious to practice an extreme economy. The sole recommendation of the place is its antiquity. There is not a window in it, I believe, or, if such conveniences exist, their prospect is of the narrowest and dingiest calli.
“They told me it was the oldest and best in town,” said Miss Stackpole. “One of them knows a little English.”
“Well, it is conveniently located,” I assured her. “I hope they have treated you right.”
“No!” Her voice died, and this time her eyes flooded so quickly that I saw a splash before she could turn. “You must think me a goose for going on like this,” she said, raising her handkerchief. “But it does seem good to find someone who isn’t trying to do me out of my bottom dollar.” And presently: “How can you live here, among such people?”
The Venetians are with me a very tender point. I have so long been a victim both of their wiles and of their charm! But in the end it is the charm that I remember.
“My poor Miss Stackpole,” I replied, “you have been unfortunate. If some of them are pretty bad, so are some people everywhere. And they improve on acquaintance. Still, of course, it is the place that catches one. Don’t you delight in it, now that you’ve seen it?”
Henrietta cast her eyes doubtfully about.
“This church is pretty fine, though they do let it run down the worst way. Just look at the floor! And the square out there—it’s queer, but it’s nice; especially looking off toward the water. But it isn’t a bit what I thought. Those hundred and seventeen small islands now—I sort of saw them lying around in the sea, with palms and temples and things. Don’t you know? I never expected these horrid slimy little canals, and backyard alleys instead of streets, and such awful shiftless tumble-down houses.”
I gazed at Henrietta aghast. Then I protested: