She must change trains at Crewe.

This gave a lighter turn to the conversation.

Arnold Jacks launched into frank gaiety, and Irene met him with spirit.

Not a little remarkable was the absence of the note of sex from their merry gossip in the narrow seclusion of a little railway compartment.

Irene was as safe with this world-conquering young man as with her own brother; would have been so, probably, on a desert island.