France was overrunning Alsace, Russia was invading East Prussia and also sending uncountable thousands of soldiers, via Archangel, to England, whence they were being despatched to Calais for the relief of Belgium.
"It looks," thought Vivie, after glancing at the _Independance Belge_, "As though Belgium were going to be extremely interesting during the next few weeks; I may be privileged to witness--from a safe distance--another Waterloo." Then she returned to the train which in her absence had been so crowded with soldiers and civilian passengers that she had great difficulty in finding her place and seating herself.

The young man whom she had seen pacing the deck of the steamer approached her and said: "There is more room in my compartment; in fact I have selfishly got one all to myself.

Won't you share it ?" She thanked him and moved in there with her suit case and rugs.
When the train had started and she had parried one or two polite enquiries as to place and ventilation, she said: "I think I ought to tell you who I am, in case you would not like to be seen speaking to me--I imagine you are in diplomacy, as I noticed you went through with a Red passport .-- I am Vivien Warren, just out of prison, and an outlaw, more or less." "'The outlaws of to-day are the in-laws of to-morrow,' as the English barrister said when he married the Boer general's daughter.
I have thought I recognized you.

I have heard you speak at Lady Maud's and also at Lady Feenix's Suffrage parties.

My name is Hawk.
I suppose you've been in prison for some Suffrage offence?
So has my aunt, for the matter of that." _Vivie_: "Yes, but in her case they only sentenced her to the First Division; whereas _I_ have been doing nine months' hard." _Hawk_: "What was your crime ?" _Vivie_: "I admit nothing, it is always wisest.