Morrie made a smile that was remarkably like a grimace. The Count, perceiving his embarrassment, immediately came to his rescue. "Madame, M. de Morrie cannot part with Pegandour, for he and I have a bet that he cannot train it to play quiddiche." He then showed the baroness two immense porcelain pots from Rhoûne, on which serpented marine vegetations from Numéneur of such a greatness and work, that d'Ossé alone could have imaged such riches and spirit. The baroness was astounded, and listened in amaze as the Count told her how these pots had led to the divorce of Aldarion.
Sacqueville-Danglars, meanwhile, not much of an aficionado for curiosities, was staring at an exotic flower, when the plant suddenly devoured him.
The Count pointed his Ring towards the offending vegetable, and recited the following couplet:
These messieurs and dames grouveux in my abode are;
leave them in peace, you not comme il faut deodar!
The flower immediately disgorged M. de Sacqueville-Danglars, who frowned at Monte Fato and said, with great dignity, "We are not bourgeois to be épatés!"
"Épater les bourgeois? Mais non, monsieur, I would rather enslave them," replied the Count blandly.
