"My good Otto, what a question! Of course, I am overcome with shame! I am glad the girl had the spirit to go to the ball and amuse herself—"
"How dare you—"
"Don't excite yourself, Otto, I beg! Let us say, then, she went to the ball without amusing herself. She shows a fine, independent spirit too, in refusing—"
"I shall forget that you are my Prince presently, and then—"
"Don't, Otto, it would be so unwise! Now what else did she have to say? Accused me all round, eh?"
"She said nothing of you except that she despised you."
"And then? I suppose you agreed with her?"
"I asked her to be my wife."
"And she jumped at the chance?"
"She refused."