"He isn't mine," laughed Susie, patting the spaniel upon his silky head; "he just ran to me for refuge."
"Evidently a most intelligent dog," observed the Prince, gravely.
"You think so?" asked Susie, her colour deepening just the faintest bit. "Ah, here is the owner, now," she added, as a little faded old woman came panting up.
"Oh, thank you, mademoiselle!" cried the newcomer, snatching the dog from Susie's arms. "Thank you! He was a bad boy—he run away!" and she held him close against her heart.
"It was nothing," protested Susie. "I am very glad I happened to be just here. Though I don't suppose that either I or the dog was in danger of being eaten," she added to Markeld, as the little old woman trotted tremulously away. "Your dog doesn't look especially ferocious."
"Still, I beg a thousand pardons," repeated the Prince. "I should have kept my eye on him. Come here, Jax," he called, "and make your apologies to the ladies."
Jax crawled up very humbly and Susie stooped and patted his head.
"Poor Jax," she said. "It wasn't your fault, I know. I'm sure that little spaniel insulted you!"
Jax licked her hand gratefully, and the Prince looked on with an admiration he did not attempt to conceal.
"Would you like him?" he asked, eagerly.