“A rigsbank dollar is the unit, worth about fifty-four cents of our money. It is divided into six marks, of nine cents each, and a mark into sixteen skillings, of about half a cent each. When the Italian opera is at the Casino, the prices are only three or four marks. This is Gothersgade,” added Dr. Winstock, as the carriage turned into another street. “In plain English, Gothic street.”
“There’s another equestrian statue,” added Captain Lincoln, pointing to a large, irregular space, surrounded by public buildings.
“The statue of Christian V. This is Kongens, or King’s Square. There are the Academy of Arts, the Royal Theatre, the Guard House, the New Market—none of them very fine, as you can see for yourselves.”
The carriage crossed this square, and came out at a canal, on the other side of which was the vast palace of Christiansborg. A short distance farther brought the party to the Royal Hotel. The carriage stopped at the door in the arch, and the two landlords, the porter, the waiters, and the clerk, half a score strong, turned out to receive its occupants. All of them bowed low, and all of them led the way up stairs. Paul took a parlor and chamber for himself and lady.
“Now, where’s Joseph?” asked Dr. Winstock.
“Who’s Joseph?” inquired the captain.
“He is the guide at this hotel, if he is still living.”
Joseph was sent for, and soon made his appearance. He was an elderly man, with gray hair and whiskers, neatly dressed in black. His manners were very agreeable, and he exhibited a lively zeal to serve the tourists. Mr. Lowington had been courteously waited upon by an officer of the government, who had volunteered to have the various palaces, museums, and other places of interest, opened during the afternoon and the next day. Joseph had procured a two-horse carriage, and the party at the hotel seated themselves in it, with the guide on the box with the driver.
“That’s the Slot,” said Joseph, pointing across the canal.
“The what?” exclaimed Captain Lincoln.