"Vfree to do vhat?"
"Who knows? Perhaps you will find, when we go out to the opera, some good-looking young hobbite will attract your eye; I would not be so unjust..."
"Vhat nnedt haff I to meet ozerrs. I haff nefvverr met so hahnd-some a mahn as you, vizz your rredt eye zat looks on me vizz lawffve. Yoo arr my Preciouss, my petite mort, and I dream off you all ze night andt all ze day."
"Poor child," said Monte Fato. "It is that you have hardly spoken to any but your father and me. Do you remember your father?"
"He is heerr andt hherre," said the spider-maid, touching her eyes and her heart. "But you, you arrrre everrryvwhferre."
Monte Fato took Shélobe's hand to kiss it, but the innocent withdrew her hand and presented her crystalline eyes.
"Now, Shélobe," said the Count. "You know that you are free, you are mistress of many slaves, you are a queen among queens. For I shall use the weapon of the Dark Lord for your glory; in place of the King I will set up a Queen, and all shall love her and despair. You may keep your costume or leave it at whim; you will go out whenever you wish. Only one thing I ask: do not reveal the secret of your birth; never pronounce the name of your illustrious parents."
