“I’m sorry, Papa. I was immersed in my reading.” “Hmm. And what might that be?” “It is an essay on cannibalism.” “An essay on cannibalism!” “By Michel de Montaigne.” “Ah. Yes. Well. That’s time well spent, I’m sure,” conceded the Count. But as he headed toward the study, he thought, Michel de Montaigne . . .? Then he shot a glance at the base of their bureau.
