"Non, monsieur," replied Monte Fato. "On the contrary, it is one of the most ancient. It was a family treasure that it was forbidden to touch, until, after a defeat and a respite, the treasure arose again; the time fixed by the ringlord has only recently revolved. Your ignorance is therefore only natural, and, moreover, you will know it better in time. But that can wait; as Gandault observed, those who have prepared a soirée prefer to keep their secret." The Count accompanied the last words with one of those pale smiles that had caused so much fear in Arafrantz d'Imrahil.
"Later I will request that you do me the honour of seeing my spoons, all ancient, for I do not like the moderns, and all elvish, for I do not appreciate les artistes hobbitains," said Sacqueville-Danglars.
"You are right, monsieur. For the moderns generally have a great defect, that of not having had time to become ancient; and the hobbites a worse defect still - that of not being elves."
The baron nodded sagely. "But all that will wait for another time. For now I will content myself, with your permission, to present you to my wife, the Baroness Sacqueville-Danglars. Excuse my eagerness, monsieur le comte; but a client like you is almost part of the family."
