[The Lady of the Shroud by Bram Stoker]@TWC D-Link book
The Lady of the Shroud

BOOK VIII: THE FLASHING OF THE HANDJAR
21/51

It was perhaps on this account that the new King, Rupert, had erected for the alleged convenience of his guests of the Press a series of large temporary hotels, such as were in evidence at the St.Louis Exposition.
Here each guest was given a room to himself, somewhat after the nature of the cribs in a Rowton house.

From my first night in it I am able to speak from experience of the sufferings of a prisoner of the third class.
I am, however, bound to say that the dining and reception rooms were, though uncomfortably plain, adequate for temporary use.

Happily we shall not have to endure many more meals here, as to-morrow we all dine with the King in the State House; and as the cuisine is under the control of that _cordon bleu_, Gaston de Faux Pas, who so long controlled the gastronomic (we might almost say Gastonomic) destinies of the Rois des Diamants in the Place Vendome, we may, I think, look forward to not going to bed hungry.

Indeed, the anticipations formed from a survey of our meagre sleeping accommodation were not realized at dinnertime to-night.
To our intense astonishment, an excellent dinner was served, though, to be sure, the cold dishes predominated (a thing I always find bad for one's liver).

Just as we were finishing, the King (nominated) came amongst us in quite an informal way, and, having bidden us a hearty welcome, asked that we should drink a glass of wine together.


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