She raised her eyebrows slightly, but thanked him and said she
would consider it an honor. His face grew hot and his heart cold
with the fancy that there was in her eyes a gleam which said: "I
pity you, poor fellow."

Notwithstanding his strange misgiving and the fact that his pride
had sustained quite a perceptible shock, he drove with them to
the station. They went to the sleeping car a few minutes before
the time set for the train's departure, and stood at the bottom
of the steps, uttering the good-bys, the God-speeds and the
sincere hope that they might meet again. Then came the sharp
activity of the trainmen, the hurry of belated passengers. He
glanced soberly at his watch.

"It is nine o'clock. Perhaps you would better get aboard," he
said, and proceeded to assist Aunt Yvonne up the steps. She
turned and pressed his hand gently before passing into the car.

"Adieu, good friend. You have made it so very pleasant for us,"
she said, earnestly.

The tall, soldierly old gentleman was waiting to assist his niece
into the coach.

"Go first, Uncle Caspar," the girl made Lorry happy by saying.
"I can easily come up unaided."

"Or I can assist her," Lorry hastened to add, giving her a
grateful look which she could not misunderstand. The uncle shook