You will permit me ?" The Princess shrugged her shoulders and turned away.
"I have ventured to speak for both of them," she remarked, "for the sake of peace, because I am a woman and can keep my temper, and they are men who might have resented your impertinence." The Duke remained as though he had not heard her speech.

He laid his hand upon Cecil's shoulder.
"De la Borne," he said, "you and I are scarcely strangers, although we have never met.

There have been friendships in our families for many years.

Don't be afraid to speak out if anything has gone a little wrong here and you are ashamed of it.

I want to be your friend, as you know very well.