Готель з привидами

           Withouttheslightestassignablereason,however,hisjustexpectationsweredisappointed.Theluxuriousbed,thewell-ventilatedroom,thedelicioustranquillityofVenicebynight,allwereinfavourofhissleepingwell.Heneversleptatall.Anindescribablesenseofdepressionanddiscomfortkepthimwakingthroughdarknessanddaylightalike.Hewentdowntothecoffee-roomassoonasthehotelwasastir,andorderedsomebreakfast.Anotherunaccountablechangeinhimselfappearedwiththeappearanceofthemeal.Hewasabsolutelywithoutappetite.Anexcellentomelette,andcutletscookedtoperfection,hesentawayuntasted—he,whoseappetiteneverfailedhim,whosedigestionwasstillequaltoanydemandsonit!

           Thedaywasbrightandfine.Hesentforagondola,andwasrowedtotheLido.

           OutontheairyLagoon,hefeltlikeanewman.Hehadnotleftthehoteltenminutesbeforehewasfastasleepinthegondola.Waking,onreachingthelanding-place,hecrossedtheLido,andenjoyedamorning’sswimintheAdriatic.Therewasonlyapoorrestaurantontheisland,inthosedays;buthisappetitewasnowreadyforanything;heatewhateverwasofferedtohim,likeafamishedman.Hecouldhardlybelieve,whenhereflectedonit,thathehadsentawayuntastedhisexcellentbreakfastatthehotel.

           ReturningtoVenice,hespenttherestofthedayinthepicture-galleriesandthechurches.Towardssixo’clockhisgondolatookhimback,withanotherfineappetite,tomeetsometravellingacquaintanceswithwhomhehadengagedtodineatthetabled’hote.