I don't
think we need consider it seriously, however. Over in America you
people have too much common sense."
"The Government have, very likely," Miss Morse admitted, "but it
isn't always the Government who decide things or who even rule
the country. We have an omnipotent Press, you know. All that's
wanted is a weak President, and Heaven knows where we should be!"
"Of course," the Duchess remarked, "Prince Maiyo is half an
Englishman. His mother was a Stretton-Wynne. One of the first
intermarriages, I should think. Lord Stretton-Wynne was
Ambassador to Japan."
"I think," said Penelope, "that if you could look into Prince
Maiyo's heart you would not find him half an Englishman. I think
that he is more than seven-eighths a Japanese."
"I have heard it whispered," the Duchess remarked, leaning
forward, "that he is over here on an exceedingly serious mission.
One thing is quite certain. No one from his country, or from any
other country, for that matter, has ever been so entirely popular
amongst us. He has the most delightful manners of any man I ever
knew of any race."
Sir Charles came up, with gloomy face, to claim a dance. After it
was over, he led Penelope back to her aunt almost in silence.
"You are dancing again with the Prince?" he asked.
"Certainly," she answered. "Here he comes."
The Prince smiled pleasantly at the young man, who towered like a
giant above him, and noticed at once his lack of cordiality.
"I am selfish!" he exclaimed, pausing with Penelope's hand upon
his coat sleeve.
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