But to the story.
As I say, I was anxious to avoid a meeting between Harry and the
king, and subsequent events proved my wisdom. Harry was acting in
a manner quite amazing; it was impossible for me to mention the
king even in jest without him flying into a violent temper.
As I look back now I am not surprised; for our harrowing
experiences and the hopelessness of our situation and the
wilfulness of Desiree were enough, Heaven knows, to jerk his
nerves; but at the time I regarded his actions as those of a
thoughtless fool, and told him so, thinking to divert his anger
to myself. He took no notice of me.
We were left entirely to ourselves. At regular intervals our
food was brought to us, and within a week we had accumulated a
large supply of the dried fish against necessity, besides my
collection of six golden platters, of which more later.
Once in about twenty-four hours two Incas, who appeared to be our
personal attendants--for we were actually able to recognize them
after half a dozen visits--arrived to perform the offices of
chambermaid and valet. The floor of the apartment was scrubbed,
the urns refilled with oil, and the skin cover of the granite
couch was changed.
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