He was also considerably put out by
the discovery that the Prince had left his white and gold uniform at
home and had to appear in an ordinary dress-suit, which, to be sure,
fitted him perfectly but did not achieve distinction. He did wear a
black and silver ribbon across his shirt front, however, and a tiny
gold button in the lapel of his coat; otherwise he might have been
mistaken for a "regular guest," to borrow an expression from Mr.
Blithers. The Prince's host manoeuvred until nearly one o'clock in
the morning before he succeeded in getting a close look at the little
gold button, and then found that the inscription thereon was in some
sort of hieroglyphics that afforded no enlightenment whatsoever.
Exercising a potentate's prerogative, Prince Robin left the scene of
festivity somewhat earlier than was expected. As a matter of fact, he
departed shortly after one. Moreover, being a prince, it did not
occur to him to offer any excuse for leaving so early, but gracefully
thanked his host and hostess and took himself off without the
customary assertion that he had had a splendid time.
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