“Well, yes: a little,” said Chumbley, who was laughing in a quiet internal way. “You have studied some of our etiquette, but you did not find this sort of thing.”
“Will you be silent, Chumbley?” thundered Hilton, indignantly.
“Did you not hear me?” said the Princess; and Chumbley noted that there was a very tender look in her eyes as she advanced and laid her hand upon Hilton’s arm. “I asked you not to be angry with me.”
“Angry?” cried Hilton, fiercely. “Angry? Why, madam, this is the act of some mad savage, and you professed to be a civilised friend!”
“It is the act, sir, of a princess!” said the Inche Maida with dignity. “One who is as a queen among her people!”
“And do you profess, madam, to be a friend of the English?”
“Yes, Captain Hilton, I have sought to be as far as I could.”
“Will you not sit down?” said Chumbley, pointing to the heap of cushions close at hand.
“Not while my guests are standing,” she said, with dignity. “Are you going to scold me and be angry too, Mr Chumbley?” she said, with a smile.
“Englishmen boast of being fair,” he replied. “If I scold it shall be when my friend has done.”