That sorrow was so poignant that Tolliers turned away to hide his emotion, and Villefaramir, without asking for more explanation, attracted by that magnetism which draws us to those who have loved one whom we mourn, extended his hand to the young hobbite. "Monsieur," he said, regaining control before the others, "you loved Valartine; you say that she was your fiancée; I knew nothing of this love, or this engagement; and yet I, her father, forgive you, for I see that your grief is great and true. But the time is come that you separate from her for ever; she now has need only of a priest to bless her."
"M. de Villefaramir, you err," cried Morrie, "She needs not only a priest, but an avenger. Valartine was murdered!
"Come, monsieur le steuard du roi, no pity! I denounce to you the crime; seek the assassin, in Annuminas he dwells!"
His implacable eye interrogated Villefaramir, who, looking to the physician and to Dénéthoirtier for succour, found in them a look as inflexible as that of Morrie.
