There was no reply.
“Are you feeling ill, Maria?”
“No; I am sad and I am bored.”
“Are you very bored?”
“Immensely. I am bored and sad as no one has ever been bored and sad in this world.”
“What should one do to distract you, to make you cheerful?” she said, with sincere anxiety and pain.
“Nothing, dear, nothing,” replied Maria in a weak and monotonous voice; “love me a little; there is no need for anything else. That will console me.”
“However, that won’t amuse you,” said Flaminia frankly.
“But it helps me to live,” replied Maria sadly.
“Do you need help so much, dear?”