Monte Fato remained mute for several seconds at such a picture of happiness, that seemed an echo of Valinor in the day before days when the Two Cheeses, Laurelingot St.-Bousquet d'Orb and Tellepinière, wafted their fragrance through the Blessed Realm. He perceived that this silence had become almost unseemly, and, tearing himself from his rêverie, said at last: "Madame, forgive me an emotion that must astound you, you are accustomed to the peace and contentment that reign here, for we who have lived under the Shadow of Bad Taste have rarely had an opportunity to perceive the echoes of a home untroubled by it. A plague on bankers and their stiff cravats!"
"We are indeed happy, monsieur le comte," said Bilbette. "But we had to suffer long. Few have bought their happiness more dearly since the dowry of Luthienne. But Érou and the Valards do indeed aid the unfortunate; for they sent us one of their messengers, to contest the power of our creditors, and to place upon our absinthe a spell of surpassing quality that has endured ever since."
The Count became bright red, and hastened to veil himself in shadow, that he might conceal his emotion. Having recovered, he said, "Grief does indeed make happiness all the sharper, like the swords of the Noldor. Had Béren not lost his hand in a bet with Carcharot the Loup-garou, his winning of Luthienne and the silmaril serait tout à fait banal."
