This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916 edition. Excerpt: ...resplendent sign was up. It ran nearly the entire length of the rambling facade over its arched entrance. If the house itself was old, everything in it was as new as varnish and paint could make it. The diningroom in bird's-egg blue, the office in imitation cherry, with a magenta velvet rope leading up the main stairway--nothing had been neglected within reason that Monsieur Pivot in his enthusiasm could suggest, even to the modern cement pit in the garage and the artificial palms. As for the sign, they both agreed that it would tempt any chauffeur of the rich Americans to recommend "The Grand Hotel of Melice d'Anjou and the Duc de Taragon Reunited" on first sight. The very entrance itself under the arched porte-cochere was inviting. It glistened in signs relative to non-puncture tires, Benedictine, and other lubricating oils. It contained also, in two large frames, photographs of the prison, in which Monsieur Pivot's soldierly little figure could be seen standing trim in the foreground in nearly all of them. The Grand Hotel being installed, Pantin settled down to receive his guests, as used to his smile and the traditional napkin tucked under his arm as a boniface twenty years in the business. Alas! the guests, save for a few chance parties in automobiles for luncheon, en route to Tours, were few and far between. It mattered little to Pantin. He had not a franc's worth of his own in the enterprise, and was grateful enough not to have made his debut as a hotelkeeper during a rush season. He kept down the running expenses to the minimum, and looked forward to a restful winter. At the present moment La Fourche suited him to perfection. Nothing could have pleased him better than to be at his ease and esteemed in the old village....