Ruth found that Prince Aglipogue had controlled his nervous shock to the extent of having a very substantial lunch brought to him, which he seemed to be enjoying as much as if snakes had never been created, but he showed no more disposition to be sociable than before, for which Ruth was grateful. It would have spoiled her illusion that she and Terry were travelling alone together. Even she did not think he was gone long. He came back looking rather sober. “Would you be very much frightened if we didn’t reach North Adams tonight at all?” he asked. “No, not frightened; but why?” “It looks as though we couldn’t go much farther. We may have to stop. You can see how slowly we’re moving now. If they can get to the next station we can all stop at an hotel, but if not we may have to sit up all night.” “I think it’ll be rather fun—only won’t Angela Peyton-Russell be worried?” “She’ll probably have telephoned the station at North Adams and will know that we’re late. Gloria was wise. The track may be clear by the time her train leaves and she’ll arrive as soon as we.” “Then I won’t have to decide about warning Professor Pendragon. He’ll learn the news less gently.” “He may have left,” said Terry. “I don’t know whether to wish that he has or has not,” said Ruth. She could not bear the thought of Gloria’s marrying Prince Aglipogue, but every hour it seemed to grow more difficult to entertain the thought of her marrying Terry. Of course it wasn’t absolutely necessary for her to marry any one, but she must be in a marrying mood, or she wouldn’t think of Aglipogue, and she’d done it so often before that it ought to be easier every time. If only she could ask Terry what he thought, but of course she couldn’t do that. Prince Aglipogue had heard Terry’s first words and had lumbered off to secure the first-hand information. All the other men in the coach seemed to be doing the same thing. The snow had brought on a premature darkness and the lights were lit so that now they could see nothing outside. One could almost feel the struggles of the engine, which seemed to grow greater and greater as the speed of the train grew less. Finally it stopped altogether with a sound of grinding wheels. The conductor told them not to be alarmed. It was nothing but a few hours’ delay. A steam plough was already on its way. It was impossible to say how long. For a few minutes the passengers all talked to each other. Some of the men thought that if they could reach the road they might hail a passing sleigh that might convey some of them to the nearest town, but the road was half a mile away and there would be few vehicles abroad in such a storm, and the idea was abandoned. Terry went back to see how George was faring, and reported him still in the baggage car, sleeping on the trunk which doubtless contained “the daughter of Shiva.”