"Don't be silly! You know what I mean."
At this moment the off hind wheel of a big limousine, which was passing us, caught our near front wheel. The steering-wheel was knocked out of the cabman's hands, and we landed up against a lamp-post with a crash that flung my companion and myself on to the floor of the taxi. The girl cried out, put her small hand into my mouth, and sat up.
I spoke into her glove.
"Are you hurt?"
"No, but I think I'm going to cry."
"Don't, my dear. It's all right. All the same, it's an outrage and a casus belli. Where does the British Ambassador live?"
Here the door was opened. The girl released me to adjust her hat, and I rolled on to the step and sat looking at a tall footman, who raised his hat and said something in German. The next minute a lady appeared. She began to speak in German, then:
"Oh, you are English," she said. I rose and bowed stiffly.
"Yes, madame, I have that honour."
"I am so very sorry. I do hope you are not hurt."