Half-reclining, he ate at leisure.

It being inadvisable to light matches here he ate chiefly by the touch system.

There was a marked alkaline flavour to the repast, not unpleasantly counteracted by a growth of vegetable mould of delicate lavender tints which Nature had been decently spreading over the final reduction of this provender to its basic elements.

But the time was not one in which to cavil about minor infelicities.

Ashes wouldn't hurt any one if taken in moderation; you couldn't see the mould in a perfectly dark hotel; and the bread was good.
The feast was prolonged until a late hour, but the finger--tips that had accurately counted money in a dark pocket could ascertain in a dark hotel that a store of food still remained.