“You have said all this before,” Sir James reminded him. “Of course I apologised as I still apologise to you for giving you a fright. But I have also given you a great deal of pleasure, you have to admit that.”
He raised his finger towards the map on the wall behind him.
“I am sure that you have enjoyed going round the world on our behalf and being treated, in most cases, with extreme politeness because you represent the British Union Jack.”
“Yes, I admit some of it has been very interesting,” Lord Templeton agreed. “But I think this new proposition of yours is sheer nonsense. I can assure you that no one, whoever he is, will make me take a bride up the aisle if I don’t wish to do so.”
“Featherstone, who went on the last voyage to Siam and Kymer, said he had never been so frightened as
