"It seemed such to you, miserable, when it was made! Your cowardly heart bounded for joy at the announcement of a perpetual shame. For, you thought, there is no escape from the tomb, but there is from prison. And you were right, for a Snowman had pity on you and ransomed you with the ring of l’Arvédui. A second fortune descends upon you from Valineur, tossed upon thy worthless head by the eagles of Manvre; and, given a chance to recommence a life like that of other dwellers of Terre-moyenne, you set about tempting Érou a third time. Érou has had enough; Érou has punished you. The Valards have risen in wrath."
At this moment the splat of an enormous bird fell upon Buttrebeurrousse, who cursed and raised his fist to heaven. Monte Fato waved a hand, and the mess vanished.
"That criminal Trascoletto will escape, however!" cried the victim
"No, none shall escape," said the Count in a voice mightier yet than that of Saroumand when addressing a diplomatic meeting on tolls. "It is I who tell you it, Buttrebeurrousse: Trascoletto shall be punished!"
"Then you too will be punished. You should have prevented Trascoletto from killing me. Your conduct is more like that of the editors of the Wikipédie than the defenders of the Ouest."
