Billy, to a small table in a corner of the compartment, and the
enjoyment of a mild cigar.

Later, when Calvert had been eliminated by Miss Bessie, Winton looked
to see the true inwardness of the dinner-bidding made manifest by his
host.

But Mr. Darrah chatted on, affably noncommittal, and after a time
Winton began to upbraid himself for suspecting the ulterior motive.
And when he finally rose to excuse himself on a letter-writing plea,
his leave-taking was that of the genial host reluctant to part company
with his guest.

"I've enjoyed your conve'sation, seh; enjoyed it right much. May I
hope you will faveh us often while we are neighbors?"

Winton rose, made the proper acknowledgments, and would have crossed
the compartment to make his adieus to Mrs. Carteret. But at that
moment Virginia came between.

"You are not going yet, are you, Mr. Winton? Don't hurry. If you are
dying to smoke a pipe, as Mr. Adams says you are, we can go out on the
platform. It isn't too cold, is it?"

"It is clear and frosty, a beautiful night," he hastened to say. "May
I help you with your coat?"

So presently Winton had his heart's desire, which was to be alone with
Virginia.