Chapter ThreeThe Marquis found himself growing impatient as the luncheon with its inevitable dishes of pasta seemed to be more drawn out than usual.
His host belonged to one of the most ancient Venetian families, and the rest of the guests were all aristocrats to their fingertips, and very conscious of it.
They talked politics, and once again the iniquities of the Austrians were enumerated, criticised and mouthed over until the Marquis found himself beginning to yawn.
The Palazzo in which the party took place was redolent with history, but was also, the Marquis noticed, badly in need of restoration.
It was sad that so many Palaces, houses, Churches and monuments were neglected in Venice. At the same time, he could not help feeling that it was entirely the fault of the Venetians themsel
