"She is walking to the station," said Madame Ribot, with ready ease, "as she wanted to see some one in the village." "It is the last train," said the Count, "but I told the station master not to say so to the public or the station might be mobbed. I have the tickets. Though I've been up all night I feel quite fresh." "I knew that I could depend upon you, even if the General did not come," Madame Ribot assured him. "I wonder where the General is?" remarked the Count, confidentially flicking the venerable horse with the whip and holding the reins in the manner of one driving a four-in-hand. "He had other business, I was told," said Madame Ribot casually. At that moment, indeed, the General was concerned with whether it was better to put a basket of carrier pigeons under his bed or in a closet off the kitchen, and this old soldier of France was little concerned with any rivalry with the Count or with Madame Ribot's affairs. He had forgotten their existence. It was well that the Count had the tickets or he could hardly have got past the crowd of old men and women and children and their belongings in every kind of portmanteau or knotted in handkerchiefs, towels and sheets, and well that he had influence with the station master which took the party onto the platform before the others. Places were found in the train for Madame Ribot and Henriette to sit down, while the Count and Phil stood, with bundles and children around their legs. "But Helen has not come!" exclaimed Phil. "Nor will she!" said Madame Ribot, weary and irritated. She had not risen before nine for many years and loathed travelling even in a first-class compartment alone, to say nothing of the present disgustingly crowded conditions. "Her walking to the station was a ruse. She is going to remain at Mervaux to look after our things." "Alone, with the Germans coming?" Phil demanded. He also showed signs of irritation to match hers. "She begged to," Madame Ribot explained. "Some one ought to stay, and she said it would give her subjects for her drawings." "A fine courage, but----" Already the station master was ringing his bell. Phil dragged his bag from under the seat and sprang out onto the platform. "I'll bring her by the next train!" he called. "There will be no next train!" put in the Count. "At any rate, she must not be left alone to receive the German army!" "Perhaps she doesn't want you!" put in Henriette, rising and leaning out of the window in protest. "I wouldn't. It's Helen's own idea and I know Helen. Come to Paris with us!" "No, I'm going to Mervaux to see the Germans!" Phil replied promptly. Henriette gave her mother a swift glance, then one at Phil. "If Helen, why not I?" she exclaimed. "But----" gasped Madame Ribot. She half rose, put out her hand to arrest Henriette who had taken up her own bag, but was jerked back to her seat by the motion of the starting train.