Paul, who prided himself on his knowledge of feminine subtlety, was at fault; but who was he to appreciate the repressive influence of a practical-minded convent friend, quickly formative and loudly assertive of opinions, on an impressionable lady awakening to curiosities?
He was just a dunderhead, like any one of us--just as much as the most eminent feminine psychologist alive--which is saying a good deal.

So he drove away disappointed, the sobriety of the chestnut's return trot through Morebury contrasting oddly with the dashing clatter of the former journey.
It was some time before he met the Princess again, for an autumn session of Parliament required migration to Portland Place.

The Princess, indeed, came to London, shortly afterwards, to her great house in Berkeley Square; but it was not till late November that he was fortunate enough to see her.

Then it was only a kiss of the hand and a hurried remark or two, at a large dinner-party at the Winwoods'.

You see, there are such forces as rank and precedence at London dinner-parties, to which even princesses and fortunate youths have to yield.
On this occasion, as he bent over her hand, he murmured: "May I say how beautiful you are to-night, Princess ?" She wore a costume of silver and deep blue, and the blue intensified the blue depths of her eyes.