She failed.

Then she tried to persuade Sir Maurice of that plain fact, and failed again.

He declared that it was his first duty, as an uncle, to be married before his nephew, and that if he were not quick about it the Terror would certainly anticipate him.

Erebus carried his defense to the Terror with an air of bitter triumph; and there was a touch of disgusted misanthropy in her manner for several days.

The princess on the other hand found the engagement the most natural and satisfactory thing in the world.