"And how can I dine with you?
Do you not realise that it is Ascot Thursday, and I have had many invitations to dine to-night?
I am going to a very big dinner-party at Thurm House." "Bad luck!" Norgate replied disconsolately.

"And to-morrow ?" "I have not finished about to-night yet," Anna continued.

"I suppose you do not, by any chance, want me to dine with you very much ?" "Of course I do," was the prompt answer.

"You see plenty of the Princess of Thurm and nothing of me, and there is always the chance that you may have to go abroad.

I think that it is your duty--" "As a matter of duty," Anna interrupted, "I ought to dine at Thurm House.
As a matter of pleasure, I shall dine with you.