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evening and welcome to the sleepy bookshelf where we put down our worries from the day and pick up a good

book i'm your host el Elizabeth, and I'm so glad you've chosen to be here

tonight. This evening, we'll be returning to a room with a view. But before we begin, let's take a moment to relax and prepare for sleep.

Notice how your body feels against your bed and where you may still be holding want attention from the day.

Take a long, gentle stretch and then allow those muscles to soften completely.

Now let's take a few slow, deep breaths together.

Inhale, gathering up any lingering thoughts or worries, and exhale, letting them drift away.

Once more, inhale slowly and exhale completely lovely

lovely last time Lucy Honeychurch and her cousin, Charlotte Bartlett, arrived at the pension Bertolini in Florence,

only to discover that their promised rooms overlooked a gloomy courtyard instead of the Arno River.

Tired and disappointed, they settled into the very English atmosphere of the pension. At dinner, an unconventional guest named Mr Emerson unexpectedly offered to exchange rooms

with them so they could enjoy the better view.

Charlotte was shocked, while Lucy felt quietly moved by his kindness.

Mr. Emerson's son, George, spoke very little, but Lucy sensed something thoughtful and unusual about him.

The mood improved when the Reverend Mr. Bebe arrived at the pension. Lucy was delighted to

recognize him from home, and with his encouragement, the other guests warmly welcomed the two cousins

and filled the evening with advice about Florence and Italy.

Eventually, after much hesitation from Charlotte, the Emerson's offer was accepted, and later that night, as Lucy looked out onto the moonlit city,

Miss Bartlett found an unusual note pinned above the washstand in what was George Emerson's room.

Tonight, we pick up the next day as Lucy prepares to explore Florence.

So just lie back and relax as I turn to the next pages of A Room with a View. Chapter 2 In Santa Croce with No Vedica.

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