"They are recently ennobled peers," replied Réginard. "The monsieur with the smile is a member of the Académie arnorienne, and has written a brilliant essay on the politics of Bombadile. The monsieur with the pistol is a famous scholar of Elvish, and a notorious dueller. The monsieur with the manacles is famous for writing in extremely beautiful style about rabbits in whom he injected pipe-weed; he was ill-received by the liberal newspapers, but his noble opposition to the desires of the court in a review of the liqueurs of Brie recommended him to them. And the monsieur with the overly long hair has been ennobled for writing comic operas on the subject of Teleporno's love life."
"Thank you; that must be singularly agreeable to the rabbits," said the Count with a laugh. "You make the most excellent possible cicerone, my good viscount. You will do me a small favour, no?"
"Which?"
"Do not introduce me to these messieurs and, if they should ask to be introduced to me, refuse."
At this moment, M. de Sacqueville-Danglars approached. "Ah, it's you, monsieur le baron," said the Count.
"Why do you address me as baron?" asked Sacqueville-Danglars. "You see that I do not stand on ceremony regarding my title – unlike the viscount."
