LADY. Yes, I should prefer the ladies' compartment. GUARD. No room there, ma'am; eight of 'em already, besides babies! LADY. I may get into another carriage, I presume? GUARD. Certainly, ma'am. Good-day, ma'am (_goes out at door_). LADY. Stop! stop! Help me out! Guard! guard! (_calling_). GUARD (_outside_). Can't stop now, ma'am. Train just going on. LADY. This is really too bad! Can't even change carriages on this line, which seems to be especially patronized by the criminal classes! But pshaw! I'm alarming myself unnecessarily. Is it likely that this gentleman--and he _is_ a gentleman--who seems to be on intimate terms with the wife of Edmund Ironsides--can possibly have any connection with-- How absurd of me! I really ought to be ashamed of myself. (_Seeing the paper-knife which the GENTLEMAN has left on seat._) What a strange-looking paper-knife--quite a formidable weapon! _Is_ it a paper-knife? it looks more like a stiletto! (_Taking up paper-knife very carefully between her finger and thumb, and then quickly dropping it again_). Such an instrument as that was never made to cut _leaves!_ It looks much adapted to-- (_Shuddering._) How ridiculous of me! My silly fears are running away with me again. Ha, ha, ha! (_forcing a laugh_). GUARD (_without_). Take your seats! _GENTLEMAN hurries in at C. The LADY suddenly stops laughing, and gets as far as she can into her corner._ GENTLEMAN. I've found my ticket! I knew I should the moment I bought another. (_Takes his seat. To the LADY_). Where do you suppose it was?--you'll never guess. In my purse, where I always put my tickets! Ha, ha, ha! LADY (_aside_). He _had_ a ticket, then? GENTLEMAN. It is very kind of you to interest yourself in the misfortunes of a stranger (_bowing_). LADY. Is it not natural? GENTLEMAN. It seems to be so to _you,_ madam (_bowing again and moving a little towards LADY, who retreats_). LADY (_aside_). If I could only induce him to remove his travelling-cap--not that I should discover the slightest scar on _his_ forehead--I should then be completely reassured. (_Suddenly._) Pardon me--is not that a friend of yours bowing to you on the other platform? (_indicating the audience_). GENTLEMAN. Bowing to me? where? (_putting his hand to his cap_). LADY (_pointing_). There! (_Aside._) Now for it! GENTLEMAN (_lowering his hand again without removing his cap_). No, ma'am, I don't know him; besides, he's not bowing to me. LADY (_aside_). That's a failure! GENTLEMAN. Holloa! Somebody's been moving my things! LADY. Yes, the guard!--he seemed curious--I might say _anxious_--to ascertain if your name was on your travelling-bag! GENTLEMAN. Very inquisitive of him! Why should I make my name public property?--there may be reasons why I should _not!_--pressing reasons! You can understand that, madam? LADY. Y--es! I'm afraid I can--I mean, of course I can! GENTLEMAN. But, as I was saying, the interest you have so kindly taken in me--a perfect stranger--