The Count met us on the way.
"You are a liar--a jackass!" he hissed into Rayel's ear.
Hastily drawing on our coats we stepped out into the chilly night air and walked leisurely down the deserted avenue.

Neither of us spoke for some moments.

Presently Rayel asked: "What is a jackass ?" He stopped and took my hand as if expecting an answer of great moment.
"A man who always tells the truth in this world--he is a jackass," I replied.
I was a little irritated by the trying experiences we had been through.
Perhaps that is why my answer savored so strongly of cynicism..