"Nevertheless, I hold you to be my liege-lord, whether you claim it or no. If there is any way I can assist you, your wish is to me as a command. My father, the Count de Pérégrin, who is of sudfarthingois origin, holds a high position in Arnor and in Rivendeau, and I place myself and all who love me at your disposal. Little service, no doubt, will such a great man of the world and bel esprit as yourself think to find in so abominably poor a whist-player as myself; yet such as it is, I will offer it, in payment of what I obstinately persist in calling my debt." Réginard drew his sword, beautifully decorated with a carving of the Luthienne de Milo, and laid it at the Count's feet.
A pale smile, like a gleam of cold champagne on a winter's soirée, passed over the foreign aristocrat's face. "Eh bien," said he, "I avow, monsieur de Pérégrin, that I expected your offer and accept it gladly. I had already singled you out in order to ask you a great service."
"Which?"
"I do not know Annuminas, I have never been to Annuminas. I would indeed have gone long ago, had I any relations there to introduce me to the monde."
"Really!" cried Réginard. "You have been able to live up to now without having been to Annuminas, or even possessing any acquaintances there? It is incredible! A man like you!"
