back she was sitting in a corner with her eyes closed. She had taken
off her hat, and her golden hair was tumbled about her face. She took
no notice when he put the rug over her; she did not even open her eyes
when the train started.

Micky sat down in the opposite corner. He felt more tired than he had
ever done in all his life, and yet he knew that he could not sleep;
his brain seemed as if it would never rest again. He sat with face
averted from the girl in the corner, looking out into the darkness.

It seemed strange to realise that he had made this same journey dozens
of times before. He felt that it was all strange and distasteful to
him. The chattering voices of the French porters and the whistle of
the engines sounded new and quaint as if he had never heard them
before. It seemed an eternity before the train started slowly away.

He leaned back and closed his eyes; his head was splitting, and he was
cold and hungry.

He must have dozed for a few minutes, for he was roused by a little
choking sound of sobbing. He opened his eyes--he was awake at once--he
looked across at Esther. She was lying huddled up, with her face
turned against the dirty cushions of the carriage, sobbing her heart
out.

Micky looked at her in miserable indecision. Then he got up
impulsively, and sat down opposite to where Esther was huddled.

He stretched out his hand and took hers.

"Don't cry--don't; I can't bear it," he said hoarsely. He raised her
hand to his lips. She had taken off her gloves and her fingers felt
like ice. He chafed them gently between his own. She still wore the
cheap little ring which Ashton had given her months ago.

She let her hand lie passively in his. Perhaps she was too miserable
to remember that it was Micky, and only realised that there was
something kind and comforting in his touch. Presently her sobs
quieted. She wiped the tears from her face and brushed back her
disordered hair.

Micky got up and took down the supper basket he had managed to get at
the station. There was a small thermos of hot coffee. He poured some
out and made her drink it. If he had expected her to refuse he was
agreeably disappointed. She obeyed apathetically; she even ate some
sandwiches.

Micky was ravenous himself, but he would not touch a thing till she
had finished.

"You'd be much more comfortable if you put your feet up on the seat
and tried to sleep," he said presently. "You can have my coat as well
as the rug. Y