“I'm not sure, Jack. Marion said something about hunting parsons, I believe, which gave George such deep pain that he wouldn't come here on Wednesday. Julia appears to be more annoyed than George, and, in fact, for the moment, we have quarantined each other.” “Isn't this too bad?” cried he, passionately. “Of course it is too bad; but it's only a passing cloud; and by the time I shall write to you it will have passed away.” Jack clasped her affectionately in his arms, kissed her twice, and sprang into the carriage, and drove away with a full heart indeed; but also with the fast assurance that his dear sister would watch over his interests and not forget him. That dark drive went over like a hideous dream. He heard the wind and the rain, the tramp of the horses' feet and the splash of the wheels along the miry road, but he never fully realized where he was or how he came there. The first bell was ringing as he drove into the station, and there was but little time to get down his luggage and secure his ticket. He asked for a _coupé_, that he might be alone; and being known as one of the great family at Castello, the obsequious station-master hastened to install him at once. On opening the door, however, it was discovered that another traveller had already deposited a great-coat and a rug in one corner. “Give yourself no trouble, Captain Bramleigh,” said the official, in a low voice. “I 'll just say the _coupé_ is reserved, and we 'll put him into another compartment. Take these traps, Bob,” cried he to a porter, “and put them into a first-class.” Scarcely was the order given when two figures, moving out of the dark, approached, and one, with a slightly foreign accent, but in admirable English, said, “What are you doing there? I have taken that place.” “Yes,” cried his friend, “this gentleman secured the _coupé_ on the moment of his arrival.” “Very sorry, sir--extremely sorry; but the _coupé_ was reserved--specially reserved.” “My friend has paid for that place;” said the last, speaker; “and I can only say, if I were he, I'd not relinquish it.” “Don't bother yourself about it,” whispered Jack. “Let him have his place. I 'll take the other corner; and there's an end of it.” “If you 'll allow me, Captain Bramleigh,” said the official, who was now touched to the quick on that sore point, a question of his department--“if you'll allow me, I think I can soon settle this matter.” “But I will not allow you, sir,” said Jack, his sense of fairness already outraged by the whole procedure. “He has as good a right to his place as I have to mine. Many thanks for your trouble. Good-bye.” And so saying he stepped in. The foreigner still lingered in earnest converse with his friend, and only mounted the steps as the train began to move. “A bientôt, cher Philippe,” he cried, as the door was slammed, and the next instant they were gone.