Стража! Стража!

           Vimessquintedatthecardasthewomencrunchedoffdownthedrive,carryingnetsandropes.

           Itsaid:Brenda,LadyRodley.TheDowerHouse,QuirmCastle,Quirm.Whatitmeant,herealised,wasthatstridingawaydownthepathlikeananimatedrummagestallwasthedowagerDuchessofQuirm,whoownedmorecountrythanyoucouldseefromaveryhighmountainonaveryclearday.Nobbywouldnothaveapproved.Thereseemedtobeaspeciallandofpovertythatonlythevery,veryrichcouldpossiblyafford...

           Thatwashowyougottobeapowerintheland,hethought.Younevercaredatossaboutwhateveranyoneelsethoughtandyouwerenever,ever,uncertainaboutanything.

           Hepaddedbacktothehouse.Adoorwasopen.Itledintoalargebutdarkandmustyhall.Upinthegloomtheheadsofdeadanimalshauntedthewalls.TheRamkinsseemedtohaveendangeredmorespeciesthananiceage.

           Vimeswanderedaimlesslythroughanothermahoganyarchway.

           Itwasadiningroom,containingthekindoftablewherethepeopleattheotherendareinadifferenttimezone.Oneendhadbeencolonisedbysilvercandlesticks.

           Itwaslaidfortwo.Abatteryofcutleryflankedeachplate.Antiquewineglassessparkledinthecandlelight.

           AterriblepremonitiontookholdofVimesatthesamemomentasagustofCaptivation,themostexpensiveperfumeavailableanywhereinAnkh-Morpork,blewpasthim.

           "Ah,Captain.Soniceofyoutocome."

           Vimesturnedaroundslowly,withouthisfeetappearingtomove.

           LadyRamkinstoodthere,magnificently.