“You see you drove me to do this thing,” said the Princess, eagerly, “and it has made your wrath hot against me; but I ask you to pardon me, my lord. See, I kneel to you for forgiveness. Can I be more humble?”
“Will you be good enough to rise, madam,” said Hilton, who was beginning to regret his former mocking way, now he saw the Inche Maida’s earnestness and trust in him; and he raised her by her hands, which clung to his entreatingly.
“Shall I retire somewhere else?” said Chumbley, in a manner that might have been taken for either serious or mocking.
“For Heaven’s sake, no, man!” cried Hilton; “stay where you are. Madam, will you be good enough to take a seat! There, that is better,” he said, seating himself near her, as, in obedience to his request, she sank upon the cushions.
“I will do whatever you wish,” she said, humbly.
“Then please remember, madam,” continued Hilton, “that you are almost an English lady, and surely you know enough of our ways to realise that you have been guilty of a most foolish act.”
“I was driven to act as I did,” she said, softly. “You know how I implored for help.”
“Yes, I know that,” said Hilton, speaking now in a tone of gentlemanly consideration for one whom he looked upon as weak and ignorant. “I am sorry you were not assisted; but now that you have had time to realise our positions, I must tell you that what you propose is impossible.”
The Princess, who had been seated in a humble, supplicating attitude, no sooner heard this last word than she sprang to her feet.
“It is not impossible!” she cried fiercely; and her eyes flashed with anger as she drew herself up to her full height.