Chapter TwoThe Slavonian Ambassador, who like most of the Court was German, was very precise and overly pompous in his congratulations to Giona.
She had the feeling at the same time that the British Ambassador, Sir Edward Bowden, was fundamentally somewhat apologetic, but she realised that he was very much intimidated by his Slavonian opposite number and therefore contributed little to the conversation.
After the Ambassador had told her in a long-winded way how much her marriage would mean to the people of his country and had offered her the felicitations and good wishes of the King, there was at last a pause when Giona was expected to answer.
For a moment, because she had listened for so long, she did not understand what was expected of her.
Then she said,
“I cannot understand, Your
