The box contained an unctuous substance, half solid, whose color was indefinable, thanks to the reflection of the gold, rubies, and sapphires that adorned the box.
The Count squeezed a small quantity of this substance with a vermilion spoon, and offered it to Morrie with a long regard.
"Voilà what you have requested, and what I have promised," said he. "Many medicines have I; for one pill makes you larger, another makes you small, and the ones bonne maman gave you did nothing at all."
"Living yet, I thank you from my heart," said the young hobbite. "Farewell, my noble and generous friend; I shall tell Valartine what you have done for me."
And slowly, without hesitation, Morrie swallowed, or rather savoured the mysterious substance offered by the Count. Its flavour was that of chocolate mushrooms imbued with latakia and bepoured with gravy.
"Friend, I feel that I am dying," he said. "Thank you."
