"I am sorry to have forgotten myself in your presence.

It shall not occur again.

Pray forgive me." Prince Bobby was still unappeased.

"I _could_ have you beheaded," he said stubbornly.

"Couldn't I, Uncle Caspar ?" Count Halfont gravely informed him that it was not customary to behead gentlemen except for the most heinous offences against the Crown.
The Duke of Perse suddenly bent forward and placed his bony hand upon the unshrinking shoulder of the Prince, his eyes gleaming kindly, his voice strangely free from its usual harshness.