"It is
a great event, this. Why did you not tell me, Catherine, when you
came to my room?"
"There has been some little misunderstanding," Julian explained.
"It is now removed. It brought us," he added, "very near tragedy.
After what I have told you, I beg whatever may seem unusual to you
in this visit with which Catherine has honoured me will be
forgotten."
Lord Maltenby drew a little breath of relief. Fortunately, he
missed that slight note of theatricality in Julian's demeanour
which might have left the situation still dubious.
"Very well, then, Julian," he decided, "there is nothing more to
be said upon the matter. Miss Abbeway, you will allow me to
escort you to your room. Such further explanations as you may
choose to offer us can be very well left now until the morning."
"You will find that the whole blame for this unconventional
happening devolves upon me," Julian declared.
"It was entirely my fault," Catherine murmured repentantly. "I am
so sorry to have given any one cause for distress. I do not know,
even now--"
She turned towards Julian. He leaned forward and raised her
fingers to his lips.
"Catherine," he said, "every one is a little overwrought. Our
misunderstanding is finished. Princess, I shall try to win your
forgiveness to-morrow."
The Princess smiled faintly.
"Catherine is so unusual," she complained.
Julian held open the door, and they all filed away down the
corridor, from which Lord Shervinton had long since beat a hurried
retreat.
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