She gave him altogether an impression of colourlessness, and he had been living in a land where colour and vitality meant much.

Her speech, too, in its very restraint, fell strangely upon his ears.
"I have been travelling in an uncomfortable compartment," she observed.
"I happened to notice, when passing along the corridor, that yours was empty.

In any case, I am getting out at the next station." "So am I," he replied, still cheerfully.

"I suppose the next station is St.David's ?" She made no answer, but so far as her expression counted for anything at all, she was a little surprised.

Her eyes considered him for a moment.
Hamel was tall, well over six feet, powerfully made, with good features, clear eyes, and complexion unusually sunburnt.