In the first place, he had been caught in a most reprehensible act, and in the second place, he was not quite sure that the Prince could save him from ignominious expulsion under the very eyes--and perhaps direction--of this trim and attractive member of the royal household.

He found himself blundering foolishly with the fishes and wondering whether she was a duchess or just a plain countess.

Even a regal personage might jump at the sight of angle worms, he reflected.
He glanced up, to find her studying him, plainly perplexed.
"I just wondered in here," he began guiltily.

"The Prince captured me down there by the big tree." "Did you say your name is Truxton King ?" she asked somewhat sceptically.
"Yes, your--yes, ma'am," he replied.

"Of New York." "Your father is Mr.Emerson King?
Are you the brother of Adele King ?" Truxton stared.