broad white collar and cuffs like those of a nun. She wore no jewels of
any kind. I judged her to be a woman of some distinction,--an Italian or
Hungarian, perhaps.

"When the train started, the dark man, who had remained standing, touched
his hat to me, raised it to the lady, and disappeared. Her only
acknowledgment was a slight inclination of the head. A polite stranger,
no doubt, I thought, who prefers the smoker. When the train stopped for
luncheon, I noticed that the lady did not leave the carriage, and on my
return I found her still seated, looking listlessly out of the window, her
head upon her hand.

"'Pardon me, madame,' I said in French, 'but unless you travel some
distance this is the last station where you can get anything to eat.'

"She started, and looked about helplessly. 'I am not hungry. I cannot
eat--but I suppose I should.'

"'Permit me;' and I sprang from the carriage, and caught a waiter with a
tray before the guard reclosed the doors. She drank the coffee, tasted the
fruit, thanking me in a low, sweet voice, and said:--

"'You are very considerate. It will help me to bear my journey. I am very
tired, and weaker than I thought; for I have not slept for many nights.'

"I expressed my sympathy, and ended by telling her I hoped we could keep
the carriage to ourselves; she might then sleep undisturbed. She looked at
me fixedly, a curious startled expression crossing her face, but made no
reply.