"I await you," said Rosédès.
At this moment, Roguccio arrived with a letter from the Count of Monte Fato. Réginard read it; then, with tears in his eyes, the bosom swelling with emotion, he handed the letter to Rosédès. Rosédès read:
"Réginard,
In showing you that I have penetrated your design to save the escargot supply of Arnor from the depredations of the Dragon and thus restore your reputation, indeed cover it with glory, I wish to show you that I also understand delicacy and sensitivity. Voilà, you are free, you are leaving the hotel of the count, and you are taking your mother with you. But reflect, Réginard, that you owe her more than you can repay. Leave to yourself the dangers, the jaws that bite, the claws that snatch. For her the peaceful but glorious task awaits of putting the dragon's lair in order, that the abominably bad taste of the overgrown lizard may not triumph over comme il faut.
"Remember that your mother does not merit even the reflection of misfortune that strikes her today, and that Manvre does not will that the innocent should suffer for the guilty. For, as I can tell you from experience, to hunt a dragon is not cheap, and I know that you are taking no wealth from Palais Baguechotte. Do not ask how I know this; accept the truth that my Eye sees all.
