It was the Princess who spoke first.

Her tone was composed but chilly.

She looked toward Engleton with steady eyes.
"My dear Lord Ronald," she said, "is this a joke?
I am afraid my sense of humour grows a little dull at this hour of the morning." "It was not meant for a joke," Engleton said.

"My words were spoken in earnest." The Princess, without any absolute movement, seemed suddenly to become more erect.

One forgot her rouge, her blackened eyebrows, her powdered cheeks.