"Don't be absurd, Prince Clarence," said Daphne. "You know very well you would never be allowed to marry _me_, even if _I_----" "Oh, of course, I know that. But--but, you see, I--er--well, I wasn't thinking of _marriage_ exactly." "Then," said Daphne, with ominous quietness, "would your Royal Highness be good enough to explain what you _were_ thinking of exactly?" "Well," he said, "_my_ idea was something more in the nature of a--what do you call it?--a morganatic alliance. Of course even that would have to be kept dark because of the Mater, but----" Daphne rose. "Prince Clarence," she said, "is it because I have been your sister's Governess that you think you have the right to insult me like this?" "It isn't an insult," he protested; "you don't understand. I assure you it's quite the usual thing in cases like ours. You'd be none the less thought of--rather the other way about. So why take this narrow-minded, prudish view of it? I didn't expect it--from _you_, you know!" "Probably," said Daphne, "you don't expect to get your ears boxed--but you will, if you dare to say any more." "Oh, do you think you'd better?" he asked. "I mean--smacking a Crown Prince's head--well, it's a jolly serious offence, you know--what?" "I suppose," she said scornfully, "you think I should deserve to be _executed_ for it." "It would make a good 'par' in the papers," he replied, "if we had any papers here. Something of this sort: 'The execution of Lady Daphne took place yesterday in the Market Square. There was no hitch, everything, including Lady Daphne's head, going off with the greatest _eclat_. The Crown Prince was expected to be present, but was unavoidably detained out hunting.'... Ah, you're laughing! You're not so very angry with me after all!" "I was," said Daphne; "but, after all, you don't know any better, and it really isn't worth while. Still, as it seems I can't expect any consideration from your Royal Highness, it will be impossible for me to remain in her Majesty's service." He began to realise at last how deeply he had offended her, and to desire a reconciliation on almost any terms. "No, I say," he pleaded, "don't take it like that. I--I made a mistake. I'll never do it again. I swear I won't! _Now_ won't you stay?" Daphne looked at him for a moment before she replied. "I wouldn't stay, Prince Clarence," she said, "if I didn't believe you really are a little sorry and ashamed of yourself. And I will only stay now on condition that you never try to speak to me again except in public." He had a sudden sense of what this would be to him--he might almost as well lose her altogether. There was only one way of obtaining her full forgiveness and the privilege of being alone with her as often as he wished. Of course he would have to pay pretty dearly for it--but, hang it, she was worth making some sacrifice for! He might be able to get round his people after all.... Yes, he'd take the plunge, whatever it cost him.