I had observed all the way from Ostend that the Count had been anxious lest we might have to give up our _coupe_ at Malines. I assured him more than once that his fears were groundless, for I had arranged at Charing Cross that it should run right through to the German frontier. But he waved me aside, with one lordly hand. I had not told Lady Georgina of his vain attempt to take possession of her jewel-case; and the bare fact of my silence made him increasingly suspicious of me. 'Pardon me, mademoiselle,' he said, coldly; 'you do not understand these lines as well as I do. Nothing is more common than for those rascals of railway clerks to sell one a place in a _coupe_ or a _wagon-lit_, and then never reserve it, or turn one out half way. It is very possible miladi may have to descend at Malines.' Lady Georgina bore him out by a large variety of selected stories concerning the various atrocities of the rival companies which had stolen her luggage on her way to Italy. As for _trains de luxe_, they were dens of robbers. So when we reached Malines, just to satisfy Lady Georgina, I put out my head and inquired of a porter. As I anticipated, he replied that there was no change; we went through to Verviers. The Count, however, was still unsatisfied. He descended, and made some remarks a little farther down the platform to an official in the gold-banded cap of a _chef-de-gare_, or some such functionary. Then he returned to us, all fuming. 'It is as I said,' he exclaimed, flinging open the door. 'These rogues have deceived us. The _coupe_ goes no farther. You must dismount at once, miladi, and take the train just opposite.' I felt sure he was wrong, and I ventured to say so. But Lady Georgina cried, 'Nonsense, child! The _chef-de-gare_ must know. Get out at once! Bring my bag and the rugs! Mind that cloak! Don't forget the sandwich-tin! Thanks, Count; will you kindly take charge of my umbrellas? Hurry up, Lois; hurry up! the train is just starting!' I scrambled after her, with my fourteen bundles, keeping a quiet eye meanwhile on the jewel-case. We took our seats in the opposite train, which I noticed was marked 'Amsterdam, Bruxelles, Paris.' But I said nothing. The Count jumped in, jumped about, arranged our parcels, jumped out again. He spoke to a porter; then he rushed back excitedly. '_Mille pardons_, miladi,' he cried. 'I find the _chef-de-gare_ has cruelly deceived me. You were right, after all, mademoiselle! We must return to the coupe__!' With singular magnanimity, I refrained from saying, 'I told you so.'