Baron Othon de Sacqueville-Danglars was counting spoons, according to his habit, when the Count of Monte Fato was announced. The Count entered the antechamber, a small salon that was meant to recall the Mines of Morie, but completely lacked their peculiar rusticated charm; there the Count casually inspected the copies of Stridier and Fanboiello that had been passed off as originals, despite the absence of the former's characteristic mushrooms or the latter's inimitable flame. The baron nodded slightly, and gestured for the Count to sit. The Count sat. Sacqueville-Danglars offered the Count a high-elvish sigarro yavanna, and took one himself.
"Do I have the honour of addressing monsieur de Monte Fato?" asked Sacqueville-Danglars.
"And I, monsieur le baron Sacqueville-Danglars, chevalier of the Legion of the Golden Tobacco Jar, member of the Chamber of Moutants?"
"Excuse me for not giving you your title at once, monsieur," said Sacqueville-Danglars, nervously clutching a pendant with a white gem shaped like the Bank of Arnor. "We live under a popular government, and I represent the interests of the People."
"So that, even while continuing the practice of calling yourself baron, you have abandoned that of calling others count," replied Monte Fato.
