MacNeill apologized with much politeness, and asked if the State Umbrella was old.
"Very old." Prince Ali smiled.
"Holy?"
"As my Faith."
"Won't keep out the wet?"
Still smiling, the Prince drew off his gauntlet, and swept it softly across MacNeill's face.
So long Lord Sydney had watched Prince Ali in silence, now he came forward, and, with a little bow, laid claim to the gauntlet.
"Your Highness," he said respectfully, "as a reigning sovereign cannot fight this cad, or he would never have dared to insult you. You," he said, turning upon MacNeill, "will apologize to the Maharajah or I'll thrash you within an inch of your life."
"I didn't insult him," growled the offender, sulkily. "I don't understand what you're driving at."
"My dear Prince," Lord Sydney turned his back upon MacNeill. "He would not understand more if I thrashed him."