He indulged in a few German expletives, bombastic and thunderous, which relieved him so much that he was able to conclude his speech in English.
"I am the densest blockhead in all Europe!" he announced emphatically.
"If I had realised your identity, I would willingly have left you alone.
No wonder you were feeling indisposed for idle conversation! Mr.Francis Norgate, eh?
A little affair at the Cafe de Berlin with a lady and a hot-headed young princeling.

Well, well! Young sir, you have become more to me than an ordinary acquaintance.

If I had known the cause of your ill-humour, I would certainly have left you alone, but I would have shaken you first by the hand." The fourth at the table, who was an elderly lady of somewhat austere appearance, produced a small black cigar from what seemed to be a harmless-looking reticule which she was carrying, and lit it.

Selingman stared at her with his mouth open.
"Is this a bridge-table or is it not ?" she enquired severely.

"These little personal reminiscences are very interesting among yourselves, I dare say, but I cut in here with the idea of playing bridge." Selingman was the first to recover his manners, although his eyes seemed still fascinated by the cigar.
"We owe you apologies, madam," he acknowledged.