"Certainly. And tell me, Thusis, who are you who condescend to converse with a plain republican? And what democratic whim has possessed you to so unbend?"
"Michael!"
"Yes?"
"You are mocking me!"
"But at least," said I, "you are a princess in camouflage—I don't mean a Russian one——"
She turned scarlet with anger and I saw her teeth busy at her under lip again.
"Piffle," said I. "You take yourself too seriously, Thusis. Whatever else you are you're the young girl with whom I'm in love—deeply in love. And I'm going to tell you so, and love you with all my might, and worry over you, and pursue you with advice and devotion until you make yourself too impossible."
"And—then?" she demanded in a voice strangled with rage.
"Then," said I, "if you really prove to be too idiotic and impossible, I shall stroll on until I encounter the next."
"Next—what?" The fury in her voice scared me, but I pulled myself together.