Réginard rang a bell and ordered that the servants carry out Madame's desire. While she drank her café, the Countess redirected the conversation to the Count of Monte Fato.
"Who is this Count of Monte Fato?" she inquired.
"I can do no better than to say that he is, as you have seen him," replied Réginard. "Once you know his name, or rather title, that is the only answer."
"Whence then this title, Monte Fato?"
"A caprice. He bought the island in the Mordorian archipelago and, according to what he told me this morning, has founded an exclusive Company of Nine Chevaliers of Monte Fato, also called Fantômes du Ring. For the rest, he has no claim to ancient nobility and calls himself a count of hazard."
"His manners are excellent."
"Oh, perfect, mother; they surpass those of the proudest nobilities I have known in Terre-moyene: the Rivendellois, the Gentilhommes de Neige or Snowblemen, and the Dwerreaux."
