Buttrebeurrousse muttered to Sacqueville-Danglars sotto voce, "You see what you have done was no pleasantry at all. I am determined to reveal it to this grieving old father and this sorrowful bride."
"Be silent!" insisted Sacqueville-Danglars. "If Gamgès be truly guilty, anyone of us, including you, will have an exorbitant fine to pay if we take his part."
Buttrebeurrousse shuddered and nodded, and said no more.
In the meantime, yet another wedding festivity was under way, for M. de Villefaramir was preparing to marry Finduilette, the charming daughter of those solid Aragonnists, the Marquis and Marquise d'Imrahil. Villefaramir had been appointed steuard du roi, a magistrate entrusted with judging opponents of Aragon's régime and other criminals. Everyone who was anyone in the Shiré was present, including a pretty if somewhat sinister demoiselle by the name of Béruthielle, who gave Finduilette the evil eye.
"Mon cher son-in-law," said Mme d'Imrahil, "I do hope you remember that you must wash away the stain of your father Dénéthoirtier's Sharcoléonist sympathies by being especially severe against the acolytes of that degenerate faction."
"But, ma mère," protested Finduilette, "surely we must be merciful to those who have committed no crime beyond their beliefs. Let Pity stay my husband's hand. Pity, and mercy: not to strike without need."
