Monte Fato began to pace around the room.
"Our magnificence makes you smile, as a gamin might threaten a full-clad brigadier with a water-blunderbuss," said Meurtier.
"Non, non," said the Count, paler than the tobacco of Ithiliande and suppressing the palpitations of his heart with one hand, whilst, with the other, he pointed at a small grey box of wood, half-open, marked with an S, and containing one of the lesser rings of power with a tag that read "Bilbette's Dowry." The box was set in imperishable crystal.
"This," said Meurtier gravely, "is the most precious of all our family heirlooms, more sacred than the living hands of Galadriella."
"Indeed, the ring is fort beau," said the Count.
"My brother does not speak of its price, monsieur le comte" said Bilbette. "We keep this as a memorial to him who succoured us in our need, and delivered us from the wrath of the creditors even as Thingolaud did with Turin the Gambler. And although the letter on the box is a mystery to us, we always say S for 'saviour.' And at meal-tide, we stand and face the south in his remembrance."
The Count bowed and said, "I hope I have not been indiscreet."
