We shall pace the platform.

Very fit Rudolph's looking, isn't he, Baroness?
You've no idea how his lungs have strengthened." "His lungs!" exclaimed the Baroness in a changed voice.
Giving the Baron a wink to indicate that there lay the ace of trumps, he answered reassuringly-- "When you learn how he has improved you'll forgive me, I'm sure, for taking him on this little trip.

Well, see you somewhere down the line, no doubt--I'm going by the same train." He watched them pass into the waiting-room, and then turned an altered face to the two dumbfounded girls.

It was expressive now solely of sympathy and contrition.
"Let us walk a little this way," he began, and thus having removed them safely from earshot of the waiting-room door, he addressed himself to the severest part of his task.
"My dear girls, I owe you I don't know how many apologies for presuming to claim you as my friends.

The acuteness of the emergency is my only excuse, and I throw myself most contritely upon your mercy!" This second projection of himself upon a lady's mercy proved as successful as the first.
"Well," said Eleanor slowly, "I guess maybe we can forgive you for that; but what I want to know is--what's happened ?--who's who ?--and where just exactly are we ?" "That's just what I want to know too," added Eva sadly.
Indeed, they both had a hint of tears in their eyes, and in their voices.
"What has happened," replied the Count, "is that a couple of thoughtless masqueraders came up here to play a little joke, and succeeded in getting themselves into a scrape.