Page:Marsh--The seen and the unseen.djvu/320

296 "I saw in Fashion that the Earl of Datchet intended to travel by this morning's tidal train to Paris. Isn't this the tidal train?"

"This is the tidal train, but I don't know anything about the Earl of Datchet. Are you goings by this train, madam?"

"Of course I am. But, guard" — the lady's hand stole towards her purse — "I particularly wished to travel in the same compartment as his lordship."

"I am afraid, madam, that I really don't know anything about his lordship, and if you're going you'd better get in — they're starting." The guard opened a carriage door. "Is this your luggage?" He signalled to a porter. "Look alive, attend to this luggage."

"My dear mother," observed Miss Paynter, when the heap of wraps had been bundled in, "are you coming?"

"It's most annoying" began the lady.

The guard cut her short. "Now, madam, if you please!" Almost before Mrs. Paynter knew it she was settling herself in the comer of the carriage opposite her daughter. Before she had settled herself the train was off, and before the train was fairly under way she was favouring Miss Paynter with some remarks of a personal nature.

"Really, Edith, you are the most trying person I ever encountered. You know perfectly well that if I hadn't seen it in the paper I should never have dreamt of crossing to-day, and especially by this particular train, and yet you won't give me the slightest help or assistance of any kind. And now