Then this figure, whose regard could not be detached, and who moreover seemed more protective than menacing, took the glass and swallowed a spoonful of the beverage. He then briefly transformed into a giant pitcher that spake the words, "Oh yeah!"
Valartine beheld all that happened before her eyes with a profound sense of stupor. Instead of disappearing like a shadow or advertisement, the man (no longer a pitcher) approached Valartine and extended to her the glass. "Now drink!" he said, in a voice full of emotion. It was the first time one of her visions had spoken to her with living accent.
"M. le comte de Monte Fato!" she murmured.
"Do not call, do not be frightened," said the Count. "Do not let the flicker of doubt or the shadow of suspicion enter even the bottom of your heart; the Ring-lord you see before you is the most respectful friend and the most tender father you can imagine."
"Do you eat girls?" inquired Valartine, sounding almost intrigued.
"I have swallowed up girls and boys, mesdames et messieurs, kings and emperors, cities and realms," said the Count, quoting the secret memoirs of Aslant. He did not say this as if he were boasting, nor as if he were sorry, nor as if he were angry. He merely said it.
