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arranged to remain there until the family meeting took place； what
unexpected event had led Henry to alter his plans？ and why did he state
the bare fact； without adding a word of explanation？ Let the narrative
follow himand find the answer to those questions at Venice。
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CHAPTER XVII
The Palace Hotel； appealing for encouragement mainly to English
and American travellers； celebrated the opening of its doors； as a matter of
course； by the giving of a grand banquet； and the delivery of a long
succession of speeches。
Delayed on his journey； Henry Westwick only reached Venice in time
to join the guests over their coffee and cigars。 Observing the splendour of
the reception rooms； and taking note especially of the artful mixture of
comfort and luxury in the bedchambers； he began to share the old nurse's
view of the future； and to contemplate seriously the coming dividend of
ten per cent。 The hotel was beginning well； at all events。 So much
interest in the enterprise had been aroused； at home and abroad； by profuse
advertising； that the whole accommodation of the building had been
secured by travellers of all nations for the opening night。 Henry only
obtained one of the small rooms on the upper floor； by a lucky accident
the absence of the gentleman who had written to engage it。 He was quite
satisfied； and was on his way to bed； when another accident altered his
prospects for the night； and moved him into another and a better room。
Ascending on his way to the higher regions as far as the first floor of
the hotel； Henry's attention was attracted by an angry voice protesting； in a
strong New England accent； against one of the greatest hardships that can
be inflicted on a citizen of the United States the hardship of sending him
to bed without gas in his room。
The Americans are not only the most hospitable people to be found on
the face of the earththey are （under certain conditions） the most patient
and good…tempered people as well。 But they are human； and the limit of
American endurance is found in the obsolete institution of a bedroom
candle。 The American traveller； in the present case； declined to believe
that his bedroom was in a complete finished state without a gas…burner。
The manager pointed to the fine antique decorations （renewed and regilt）
on the walls and the ceiling； and explained that the emanations of burning
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gas…light would certainly spoil them in the course of a few months。 To
this the traveller replied that it was possible； but that he did not understand
decorations。 A bedroom with gas in it was what he was used to； was what
he wanted； and was what he was determined to have。 The compliant
manager volunteered to ask some other gentleman； housed on the inferior
upper storey （which was lit throughout with gas）； to change rooms。
Hearing this； and being quite willing to exchange a small bedchamber for
a large one； Henry volunteered to be the other gentleman。 The excellent
American shook hands with him on the spot。 'You are a cultured person；
sir；' he said； 'and you will no doubt understand the decorations。'
Henry looked at the number of the room on the door as he opened it。
The number was Fourteen。
Tired and sleepy； he naturally anticipated a good night's rest。 In the
thoroughly healthy state of his nervous system； he slept as well in a bed
abroad as in a bed at home。 Without the slightest assignable reason；
however； his just expectations were disappointed。 The luxurious bed； the
well…ventilated room； the delicious tranquillity of Venice by night； all were
in favour of his sleeping well。 He never slept at all。 An indescribable
sense of depression and discomfort kept him waking through darkness and
daylight alike。 He went down to the coffee…room as soon as the hotel was
astir； and ordered some breakfast。 Another unaccountable change in
himself appeared with the appearance of the meal。 He was absolutely
without appetite。 An excellent omelette； and cutlets cooked to perfection；
he sent away untastedhe； whose appetite never failed him； whose
digestion was still equal to any demands on it！
The day was bright and fine。 He sent for a gondola； and was rowed
to the Lido。
Out on the airy Lagoon； he felt like a new man。 He had not left the
hotel ten minutes before he was fast asleep in the gondola。 Waking； on
reaching the landing…place； he crossed the Lido； and enjoyed a morning's
swim in the Adriatic。 There was only a poor restaurant on the island； in
those days； but his appetite was now ready for anything； he ate whatever
was offered to him； like a famished man。 He could hardly believe； when
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he reflected on it； that he had sent away untasted his excellent breakfast at
the hotel。
Returning to Venice； he spent the rest of the day in the picture…galleries
and the churches。 Towards six o'clock his gondola took him back； with
another fine appetite； to meet some travelling acquaintances with whom he
had engaged to dine at the table d'hote。
The dinner was deservedly rewarded with the highest approval by
every guest in the hotel but one。 To Henry's astonishment； the appetite
with which he had entered the house mysteriously and completely left him
when he sat down to table。 He could drink some wine； but he could
literally eat nothing。 'What in the world is the matter with you？' his
travelling acquaintances asked。 He could honestly answer； 'I know no
more than you do。'
When night came； he gave his comfortable and beautiful bedroom
another trial。 The result of the second experiment was a repetition of the
result of the first。 Again he felt the all…pervading sense of depression and
discomfort。 Again he passed a sleepless night。 And once more； when he
tried to eat his breakfast； his app