"So be it," said Consuelo. "I see one can make terms with heaven, and I appreciate the honesty of Herr Swartz as I should. When this sum, which is not large, shall be exhausted, will you not furnish me with the means of procuring more?"
"I do not say so. That would be to violate my duty, a thing I will never do; but your ladyship will never suffer, if you will tell me who at Berlin or elsewhere is the depository of your funds. I will send my accounts to that person, in order that they may be regularly paid. My orders do not forbid that."
"Very well: you have contrived a way to correct that order, which is a very agreeable thing, as it permits you to treat us well, and prohibits us from having anything to say about it. When my ducats are gone, I will contrive to satisfy you. First of all, bring me some chocolate; give me for dinner a chicken and vegetables; get some books for me during the day, and at night give me a light."
"The chocolate your ladyship will have in five minutes; dinner will be prepared at once. I will give you also some good soup, little delicacies which ladies do not disdain, and coffee, which is very salutary to combat the damp air of our residence. The books and light are inadmissible: I would be dismissed at once, and my conscience does not permit me to violate my orders."
"But, other than prison food is equally prohibited."
"Not so. We are permitted to treat ladies, and especially your ladyship, humanely, in all that relates to health and comfort."
"_Ennui_ is equally injurious to the health."
"Your ladyship is mistaken. Good food and mental repose make all here fat. I might mention a lady who came hither as thin as you, and who, after being a prisoner twenty years, was discharged, weighing one hundred and twenty pounds."
"Thank you, sir, I do not wish such immense _embonpoint._ I hope you will not refuse me books and a light."
"I humbly ask your ladyship's pardon; but I cannot violate my duty. Besides, your ladyship will not suffer from _ennui_; you will have a piano and music here."
"Indeed! And to whom will I be indebted for this consolation? To you?"
"No, signora: to his majesty: and I have an order from the governor to have the above-mentioned articles placed in your room."