“There really is no need for the unearthly hush,’ said the Count quietly. ‘For us death is very much a part of everything. I am going to put this down here on Alecco’s tomb to sustain his soul. Afterwards I shall offer you some more of it at home, my dear Zarian, to sustain your body. Is that not very Greek? We never move far in our metaphysical distinctions from the body itself. There is no incongruity in the idea that what fortifies our physical bowels, will also comfort Alecco’s ghostly ones.”