It would appear that he was wondering how he could gracefully get away from the princess to pay his devoirs elsewhere.
"I cannot tell you now," he answered; "Catrina is watching us across the piano.

You must beware, madame, of those cold blue eyes." He moved away, going toward the piano, where Maggie was standing behind Catrina's chair.

He was like a woman, inasmuch as he could not keep away from his failures.
"Are you advanced, Miss Delafield ?" he asked, with his deferential little bow.

"Are you modern ?" "I am neither; I have no desire for even the cheapest form of notoriety.
Why do you ask ?" replied Maggie.
"I was merely wondering whether we were to count you among our rifles to-morrow.

One never knows what ladies will do next; not ladies--I apologize--women.