"One more rubber, then," she said. "After that we will go to bed."
The others came toward the table, and the Princess threw down the cards. They all three cut. Engleton, however, did not move.
"I think," he said, "that you did not quite understand me. I said that I did not care to play any more."
"Three against one," the Princess remarked lightly.
"Why not play cut-throat, then?" Engleton remarked. "It would be an excellent arrangement."
"Why so?" Forrest asked.
"Because you could rob one another," Engleton said. "It would be interesting to watch."
A few seconds intense silence followed Engleton's words. It was the Princess who spoke first. Her tone was composed but chilly. She looked toward Engleton with steady eyes.
"My dear Lord Ronald," she said, "is this a joke? I am afraid my sense of humour grows a little dull at this hour of the morning."
"It was not meant for a joke," Engleton said. "My words were spoken in earnest."