"Madam," he said, "one of these gentlemen is from Scotland Yard, and the others are reporters.
"I am afraid you will find them quite persistent, madam," he said.
"Yes, madam; but circumstances have been against me.
"As for me, madam," replied the gentleman, coldly, "I have need of nothing."
"It is very pretty,
madam," said he, gravely examining it; "but I do not think it will wash well; I am afraid it will fray."
"It means,
madam, that you yourself, so good, so charming, so sensible, you have laughed sometimes -- smiled, I should say -- at the idle prattle of that good Parry, for whom your royal highness to-day entertains such a marvelous susceptibility."
'My dear
madam, brought up, educated, and trained, expressly for that purpose.