The divinity that hedges in a king did not bother either of them just then.
"You have not asked me to dance to-night," she declared.
"I know it." "Why ?" "I am neither a prince nor an ambassador." "But you _have_ danced with me." "Yes; I have been to Heaven now and then." "And do you eject yourself thus easily ?" "By turning myself out my self-esteem remains unruffled." "Then you expected to be turned out ?" "Sooner or later." "Why ?" Again that word! To him it was the most tantalizing word in the language.

It crucified him.
"Why ?" she repeated, her eyes soft and dreamy.
"As I have said, I am not a prince.

I am only a consul, not even a diplomat, simply a business arm of my government.

My diplomacy never ascends above the quality of hops and wines imported.

I am supposed to take in any wandering sailor, feed him, and ship him home.