_Undershell_ (_to himself_). Singularly attractive face this girl has; so piquant and so refined! I can't help fancying she is studying me under her eyelashes. She has remarkably bright eyes. Can she be interested in me? Does she expect me to talk to her? There are only she and I--but no, just now I would rather be alone with my thoughts. This Maisie Mull whom I shall meet so soon; what is _she_ like, I wonder? I presume she is unmarried. If I may judge from her artless little letter, she is young and enthusiastic, and she is a passionate admirer of my verse; she is longing to meet me. I suppose some men's vanity would be flattered by a tribute like that. I think I must have none; for it leaves me strangely cold. I did not even reply; it struck me that it would be difficult to do so with any dignity, and she didn't tell me where to write to.... After all, how do I know that this will not end--like everything else--in disillusion? Will not such crude girlish adoration pall upon me in time? If she were exceptionally lovely; or say, even as charming as this fair fellow-passenger of mine--why then, to be sure--but no, something warns me that that is not to be. I shall find her plain, sandy, freckled; she will render me ridiculous by her undiscriminating gush.... Yes, I feel my heart sink more and more at the prospect of this visit. Ah me! [_He sighs heavily._ _His Fellow Passenger_ (_to herself_). It's too silly to be sitting here like a pair of images, considering that---- (_Aloud._) I hope you aren't feeling unwell? _Undershell._ Thank you, no, not unwell. I was merely thinking. _His Fellow Passenger._ You don't seem very cheerful over it, I must say. I've no wish to be inquisitive, but perhaps you're feeling a little low-spirited about the place you're going to? _Undershell._ I--I must confess I am rather dreading the prospect. How wonderful that you should have guessed it! _His Fellow Passenger._ Oh, I've been through it myself. I'm just the same when _I_ go down to a new place; feel a sort of sinking, you know, as if the people were sure to be disagreeable, and I should never get on with them. _Undershell._ _Exactly_ my own sensations! If I could only be sure of finding _one_ kindred spirit, one soul who would help and understand me. But I daren't let myself hope even for that! _His Fellow Passenger._ Well, I wouldn't judge beforehand. The chances are there'll be _somebody_ you can take to. _Undershell_ (_to himself_). What sympathy! What bright, cheerful common sense! (_Aloud._) Do you know, you encourage me more than you can possibly imagine! _His Fellow Passenger_ (_retreating_). Oh, if you are going to take my remarks like _that_, I shall be afraid to go on talking to you!