At this earnest apology, Reepicheep's gallantry cannot be held back. "Dear lady, nay," he says, and takes one of her hands between both his paws, patting the back of it gently. "I am only relieved you are back, and unharmed."

He'd been frightened right down to his whiskers, Caspian knows, but his relief is visibly all-consuming. "I would never have forgiven myself had some danger befallen you when my sword might have come to your aid."