I left the support of the wood-box and made my way along the aisle until I came to the vacant seat.
"Miss," I began, politely, but the lady purposely looked the other way; she had her bag in the place where I wanted to sit, and she didn't mean to move it, if she could help it.

"Miss," I said again, in a louder tone.
Two or three people looked at us.

That confused me; her refusing to look around confused me; one of my old bad spells began to come on.
"Miss," I whispered, leaning toward her, blushing and embarrassed, "I would like to know if you are engaged--if--if you are taken, I mean ?" She looked at me then sharp enough.
"Yes, sir, I _am_," she said calmly; "and going to be married next week." The passengers began to laugh, and I began to back out.

I didn't stop at the wood-box, but retreated into the next car, where I stood until my legs ached, and then sat down by an ancient lady, with a long nose, blue spectacles, and a green veil..