It was darkish when the brougham arrived at the station, and Leah, glancing about under the electric lamps, saw Katinka waiting at the ticket-barrier. For the benefit of an inquisitive maid and an observant groom she addressed her gaily, though it was not easy to speak with still aching lips. "You _are_ punctual," said the Duchess, pressing an unwilling hand with ostentatious warmth. "Excuse my speaking much. I fell on the stairs last night after you left and hurt my mouth." "I commiserate with you, madame," replied Katinka, sarcastically. "So good of you. I hope M. Aksakoff will not expect me to chatter." "My father?" echoed the girl, staring. "He's at Southend, isn't he?" said Leah, impatiently; "at least, you told me so last night. I have instructed my maid to go on to Firmingham, while we travel straight to Southend. Such a cockney place, isn't it? Then we can get back--oh, about what time?" "Say eleven o'clock," returned the Russian, grimly. She now saw through the clever comedy which was being played. "You understand, Marie," said Leah, turning to her maid, who was all ears and eyes; "see that the brougham is sent in time. Come with me, dear--there's a reserved compartment--at least, I ordered one. Curl, go and look." Thus prattling to deceive her domestics, Leah adjusted a very thick veil, which hid from the public a face whose expression was quite at variance with her sweet nothings. When the two entered the carriage and the train was moving slowly out of the station, Katinka burst into a harsh laugh. "I congratulate you, Lady James; you should have been a conspirator." "So your dear father told me. Compliments run in your family, apparently. Surely you do not blame me for putting things right with my servants. They might think it queer, otherwise, and one cannot be too careful with such creatures." "I fail to see what good your exceedingly clever explanations will do. Constantine intends to speak out." "What about?" asked Leah, chafing, and throwing up her veil to manage the girl more easily with her dominating eyes. Katinka, always fiery, and with slack nerves after her Siberian experiences, almost lost what temper she had left. "Need we keep on your comedy, madame?" "I'm sure I do not know what you mean. One would think that I wished to deceive people, the way you talk. And after what I have done for you, too--it's most ungrateful." "And pray what have you done, Lady James?" "Don't call me Lady James; your stupid mistakes get on my nerves. Done? Why, I pretended to fall on the stair to excuse the state of my mouth. Had I been a nasty, spiteful creature such as you are, I should have given you in charge for assault." "Give me in charge now," sneered the girl. "I might. Don't drive me into a corner." "You are inconsistent. If you have done nothing wrong, how can I drive you into the corner you speak of?"