“Mr Chumbley,” she said, turning to him, “you will shake hands? I am not angry now. You need not be afraid.”
“I wasn’t afraid,” said Chumbley, taking the hand and pressing it warmly.
“You were not?” she cried, with a flash from her dark eyes.
“Not a bit,” he said, laughing.
“Suppose I said I would kill you?” she cried.
“Well, it would be quite time enough to feel afraid when the operation was about to be performed,” said Chumbley, coolly. “I never meet troubles half way.”
“I cannot understand you,” said the Princess. “You are a very strange man. It is because you are so big, I think, that you are not afraid.”
Chumbley bowed.
“Perhaps so,” he said.
“I came back,” said the Princess, “to tell you that I was sorry I spoke so angrily; but you must both know that I will be obeyed. If I were not firm, my people would treat me like you do your servants. I wish to speak to you both now.”