"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."
Consuelo was delighted at being allowed the means of making music, and asked nothing more. She took her chocolate gaily, while Swartz put her furniture in order, that is to say, a miserable bed, two straw chairs, and a pine table. "Your ladyship will need a commode," said he, with the kind air assumed by persons who wish to overpower others with care and attention, in exchange for their money: "then a better bed, a carpet, a chest of drawers, an arm-chair, and a toilette."