Touched by his solicitude she thanked him with much graciousness.

He bent over her--we were standing at the door and could not choose but hear: "Don't you remember what I said the first day I met you ?" "Yes." "It stands, my dear; and more than that." He paused for a second and took her thin hand.

"And don't you worry about that book.

You get well and strong." He kissed her hand and spoiled the gallantry by squeezing her shoulder--half her little body it seemed to be--and emerging from the compartment joined us on the platform.

He put a great finger on the arm of the rubicund, thickset, black-moustached Jornicroft.
"I think I'll come with you as far as Paris," said he.