They looked grateful, then embarrassed. Captain Athelstan opened his mouth and closed it.
"You had better tell her," he said, nervously, to Lord Arthur.
"N-n-no, y-y-y-y——"
"What is it, Captain Athelstan?" I interrupted, pointedly, for I had only five minutes.
"Princess, we both love you," began the Captain, blushing like a hobbledehoy, and rushing in medias res. I allowed them to call me Princess, because it was not my Christian name.
"Is this the time—when I am busy feeling the pulse of the Bazaar?"
"You gave us five minutes," pleaded the Captain, determined to do or die, now he was in the thick of it.
"Go on," I said, "I will forgive you everything—even your love of me—if you are only brief."
"We both love you. We are great friends. We have no secrets. We told each other. We are doubtful if you love either—or which. We have come together."
He fired off the short, sharp sentences as from a six-barrelled revolver.