be very angry. I am sorry, indeed, that you should have witnessed
our--our scene. Of course, you could not have known who he was----"

"I thought he was a--but in any event, your highness, he was annoying
you," supplemented Chase eagerly.

"You _will_ forgive me if I've caused you even greater, graver
annoyance. What can I do to set the matter right? I can explain my error
to the Duke. He'll understand--"

"Alas, he will not understand. He does not even understand me," she said
meaningly. "Oh, I'm so sorry. It may--it will mean trouble for you."
There was a catch in her voice.

"I'll fight him," murmured Chase, wiping his brow.

"Deuce take it, man, he won't fight you," said Baggs. "He's a prince,
you know. He can't, you know. It's a beastly mess."

"Perhaps--perhaps you'd better go at once," said the Princess, rather
pathetically. "My father will not overlook the indignity to--to my--to
his future son-in-law. I am afraid he may take extreme measures. Believe
me, I understand why you did it and I--again I thank you. I am not angry
with you, yet you will understand that I cannot condone your kind
fault."

"Forgive me," muttered the hapless Chase.

"It would not be proper in me to say that I could bless you for what you
have done," she said, so naïvely that he lifted his eyes to hers and let