"Excellent," said the Count. "There is but one obstacle to this marriage. It is usual in Arnor to meet one's intended before affiancing oneself to her. Our young ladies are perhaps a little over-sensitive on that point. I therefore request the presence of both of you at a dinner to be given at Rue Vieilhomme-Willeau, N°. 28, in Barroue-Don, on Saturday, the 22 Yavannidor, at six o'clock in the evening. Monsieur and Madame de Sacqueville-Danglars will be present, as will M. and Mme. de Villefaramir and various other friends of mine. Only it is useless that one know in Arnor of your long separation; stories of children kidnapped by dragons and parents enslaved by Morgot are not in vogue among us; and although one enjoys to read about Turin between the two covers of a book, the world is strangely diffident towards actually encountering him in real life: the times of Turin are a little passé. I would therefore give it out that you sent your son to receive his education in Rivendeau, and you wish for him to complete that education in the Annuminasian monde."
"We gladly accept this gracious invitation," said Entelletto. "To what do we owe this overwhelming generosity?"
"To my inexorable caprice," said the Count.
After some light if awkward conversation, the newly united father and son left for their respective hotels. "What a pity those wretches are not truly father and son!" said Monte Fato after they had left. "In verity, they disgust me more than the sartorial practices of Orcs or even the poorly prepared tobacco of Brie."
