She continued to stare at him.

"Matters of state--er--revolution--and that sort of thing," he mumbled, eying her; "but I thought it might gratify you to know that I am Prince George of Rumtifoo----"

"What!"

The silence was deadly.

"Do you know," she said deliberately, "that I believe you think I am mentally unsound. Do you?"

"I--you--" he began to stutter fearfully.

"Do you?"

"W-well, either you or I----"

"Nonsense! I thought that marriage ceremony was a miserably inadequate affair!... And I am hurt--grieved--amazed that you should do such a--a cowardly----"

"What!" he exclaimed, stung to the quick.