Life in the Palace

While we were enjoying a terrific thunderstorm this afternoon, the fire alarm went off! Such is life in this place. Calmly I sat and blogged on through it, serene in the knowledge that the smoke-detectors in this hotel are extraordinarily sensitive; so, though were it a kitchen fire out of control, the fine young firemen would be here dousing it before it had consumed the bride whose inadequate dowry had made it necessary for her to kill herself in customary Suttee fashion. Anyway, I think I'll walk over to Marcus's, carrying my beautiful, black and white "golf" umbrella, in case it should rain some more, praying that it does.