"It is pardonable to say that I believe her Highness has been very
foolish."

The girl made a gesture which conceded this fact. "It is too late to
retreat, as I have told you. Steinbock is already on the way. We must
trust him. But you?"

"After all, what does a consulate amount to?"

This seemed to be answer enough. She extended her hand in a royal
fashion. I took it in one of mine, bent and kissed it respectfully.
Apparently she had expected the old-fashioned handshake familiar to our
common race, for I observed that she started as my lips came into
contact with the back of her hand. As for me, when my lips touched the
satin flesh I knew that it was all over.

"Your Highness!" she called.

The princess returned. She looked at me with a mixture of fierceness
and defiance, humility and supplication. I had always supposed her to
be a sort of hobbledehoy; instead, she was one of those rare creatures
who possess all the varying moods of the sex. I could readily imagine
all the young fellows falling violently in love with her; all the young
fellows save one. I glanced furtively at the Honorable Betty.

"He knows all?" asked her Highness, her chin tilted aggressively.

"Everything."