Vindictus was reading the table of contents once again. "You reek of ignorance," he said to Paris without looking up. "Magical mirrors come in many forms throughout history. Ah, listen to this nice little ditty." He cleared his throat. "Tunc ex suus speProfessio Sage Vizier , A Veneficus Speculum no a Speculum amo bosom of Totus - sapiens Intelligence , Pondero in suus mystic complector totus Intus septiformus volubilis of orbis terrarum Invol'd ; quod vultus in ut Speculum visio Shah carnifico vultus of suus Votum."

He looked up at them and grinned. "Oh, yes, how careless of me! You didn't understand a word I said. Let me translate for you." He folded his hands on top of the book. "Then from his secret Art the Sage Vizier, A Magic Mirror made; a Mirror like the bosom of All-wise Intelligence, Reflecting in its mystic compass all within the sevenfold volume of the World invol'd; and looking in that Mirror's face the Shah beheld the face of his Desire."

"And this is why I have two graduate degrees and you call me 'professor.' "