The Venetian Venture Read Online Free PDF

in other areas equally gainful.
     
    When she had gone Rosy unpacked and stared out of the window at the wide expanse of water. Was this still part of the Grand Canal? Surely she had left its banks some time ago. She consulted the guidebook and realised that it was of course the broad inlet south of the city, the Canale della Giudecca, forming part of the lagoon and named after the long island mentioned by Stanley. Over to the left she could discern the dome and spires of the great Redentore, admired by most and hated by Ruskin. To Rosy’s untutored eye it looked pretty damn good … ten times better thanBattersea Power Station that was for sure! She powdered her nose, combed her hair and prepared to go down to partake of the ‘soothing’ breakfast.
    In fact it was not so much soothing as torpid. Quiet most certainly: two other guests, male and female, and a cat. The former were engrossed in newspapers, the latter fast asleep. The fare was moderate: some very un-Italian cornflakes and porridge, rolls not quite desiccated and a pot of decidedly weak tea. Looking in vain for coffee Rosy wondered if after all she should have held out for the Danieli.
    ‘Don’t worry,’ the male guest volunteered, ‘it gets better in the evening. In fact the old girl is a very good cook when she chooses but she never chooses at breakfast. It’s as well to accept that otherwise nerves are fretted and one starts the day at a disadvantage.’ He smiled politely and glancing at the woman said, ‘Wouldn’t you agree Daphne?’
    The woman nodded. ‘Yes. Submit to circumstance and then compensate with excellent coffee and ice cream round the corner at Tonelli’s. If you try their house speciality Bomba Garibaldi you’ll never touch a Lyons wafer again.’ Having delivered so practical a tip she returned to silence and her paper.
    Rosy glanced at the clock: nine-fifteen. A little early in the day for frozen explosions but something she might well try later on. Meanwhile there were more pressing matters to pursue: Horace and the Pacelli bookshop. Best to start immediately before being seduced by the guiles of ices and architecture. She opened her handbag and consulted Stanley’s plan of campaign.
    As explained, your first port of call should be the Pacelli bookshop. This is where Sir Fenton’s
cousin saw the volume originally. He says that from what he remembers the owner is a little dour but should be cooperative in aiding your searches. There is a remote possibility that he may still have the book – in which case snap it up straightaway and return here three days hence allowing yourself time to visit St Mark’s, Torcello and the Gesuiti church. Viewing these is essential to your education; but unless you are still without the book on no account linger longer as I shall want you here to organise my new set of lectures.
    However, if – as is the more likely – the book is not with Pacelli then you will need to make further enquiry (probably at the other shop in the Castello quarter, assuming it’s still there). This may necessitate a longer stay. But the essential thing is to bring back the goods. Thus do not flag or be sidetracked by frippery. A telephoned progress report would be appreciated. You should have no difficulty in tracing the first bookshop: I gather it’s somewhere in the Rialto area – bound to be easy enough to find
.
    ‘A model of usefulness,’ Rosy said to herself dryly, ‘and how touching to be concerned with my cultural enlargement.’ She finished the cornflakes, scowled at the weak tea, nodded to her fellow guests and walked out through the now sunny courtyard to begin her quest.
     
    Via a series of turnings and mis-turnings she arrived at the Accademia Bridge, climbed its steps – pausing like all visitors and artists to admire the
belvedere
on either side – anddescended in the direction of the Ponte di Rialto. At least, that was what the sign indicated. But she soon discovered that ‘Per Rialto’ was