Hereupon the Army retired a little discomfited but rallied sufficiently to suggest the word "languish."
"Behold us then, Miss Lovel, passioning—" said the Navy.
"And—haw—languishing, Miss Lovel—" sighed the Army.
"Behold us then unanimously beseeching you—aha, here comes Pevensey to add his supplication to ours."
The Duke shot his ruffle, fixed his eyeglass and bowed.
"Permit me, Miss Lovel, to add my petition! Vereker will spare you to us awhile, I am sure!" said he. "To behold a goddess is to be blessed; to hear her sing will be—"
"Joy!" suggested the Navy.
"Divine!" sighed the Army.
"Transcendent rapture!" quoth the Duke.
Diana laughed and rose, looking from one to other with that serene and level gaze I knew so well, and saluted them with a slow and graceful curtsey.