"Well, yes: a little," said Chumbley, who was laughing in a quiet internal way. "You have studied some of our etiquette, but you did not find this sort of thing." "Will you be silent, Chumbley?" thundered Hilton, indignantly. "Did you not hear me?" said the Princess; and Chumbley noted that there was a very tender look in her eyes as she advanced and laid her hand upon Hilton's arm. "I asked you not to be angry with me." "Angry?" cried Hilton, fiercely. "Angry? Why, madam, this is the act of some mad savage, and you professed to be a civilised friend!" "It is the act, sir, of a princess!" said the Inche Maida with dignity. "One who is as a queen among her people!" "And do you profess, madam, to be a friend of the English?" "Yes, Captain Hilton, I have sought to be as far as I could." "Will you not sit down?" said Chumbley, pointing to the heap of cushions close at hand. "Not while my guests are standing," she said, with dignity. "Are you going to scold me and be angry too, Mr Chumbley?" she said, with a smile. "Englishmen boast of being fair," he replied. "If I scold it shall be when my friend has done." "Oh! I have done for the present!" said Hilton, with a mocking laugh. "Pray go on." "I have not much to say," said Chumbley slowly; "only that it seems rather a determined way of inviting a couple of fellows to your country home, Princess. It has its good points, though, for you can always make sure of the number you want to have." The Princess inclined her head as if in acquiescence, and then looked pleadingly at Hilton, whose brow displayed an angry frown, and who had begun to pace the room, making the bamboo laths bend and creak beneath his weight. "I knew she had taken a fancy to him," said Chumbley to himself, as in his quiet dry way he noted what was going on; "but I never could have believed in this. I suppose I was caught and brought to play propriety, and to act as witness to the native ceremony, for she'll marry Hilton as sure as he's alive." "Of course you will give orders at once for a boat to be in readiness to take us back?" said Hilton haughtily. "No," said the Princess, smiling, "I shall not. Surely you are not tired of my hospitality quite so soon?" "You are trifling, madam," said Hilton, "and it is time this childish farce was brought to an end. I insist upon your ordering a boat to be in readiness at once." "I am sorry I cannot oblige you, Captain Hilton," said the lady gloomily. "Why have you done this?" he cried. "Why are we brought here?" "Why have I had you brought here?" said the Princess in a low, musical voice. "Shall I tell you?" "If you wish to," said Hilton carelessly. The Inche Maida's eyes flashed at his indifferent manner.