"It is decided," replied the Count, suppressing a barely perceptible shudder at the mention of that place. With that, the two Arnorians bowed and left the Count's apartments.
"I confess that I am concerned that the Count has made a rendezvous with you in Annuminas," said Arafrantz when they were alone.
"Why so?" askd Réginard. "I've always observed you to be rather cold towards the Count, but on his part, I have always found him one of the Kings of Men born into a later time, but touched with the wit and the perfect taste in cigars and cognac of the Elder Race. Do you have anything in particular against him?""
"Perhaps," said Arafrantz.
"Have you seen him before now?"
"Yes, but in other guise than we saw him here. But I will say no more unless you swear by the breasts of Luthienne never to repeat a word to living man."
Réginard complied, and Arafrantz related everything about his dealings with the Count heretofore: the hashberry, the statues, and the colloquy at the Teleporneum.
