"I haven't a card in my bag," she said simply, "but my name is Beresford--Irene Beresford--Miss Beresford," and she coloured prettily. "I have made an effort of the explanation," she went on; "but I think it is stupid of women not to let people know at once whether they are married or single."
"I'll be equally candid," he replied. "I'm not married, nor likely to be."
"Is that defiance, or merely self-defence?"
"Neither. A bald fact. I hold with Kitchener that a soldier should devote himself exclusively to his profession."
"It would certainly be well for many a heart-broken woman in Europe to-day if all soldiers shared your opinion," was the answer; and Dalroy knew that his _vis-à-vis_ had deftly guided their chatter on to a more sedate plane.
The train halted an unconscionable time at a suburban station, and again at Charlottenburg. The four Germans in the compartment, all Prussian officers, commented on the delay, and one of them made a joke of it.
"The signals must be against us at Liège," he laughed.
"Perhaps England has sent a regiment of Territorials across by the Ostend boat," chimed in another. Then he turned to Dalroy, and said civilly, "You are English. Your country will not be so mad as to join in this adventure, will she?"
"This is a war of diplomats," said Dalroy, resolved to keep a guard on his tongue. "I am quite sure that no one in England wants war."
"But will England fight if Germany invades Belgium?"
"Surely Germany will do no such thing. The integrity of Belgium is guaranteed by treaty."
"Your friend the lieutenant, then, did not tell you that our army crossed the frontier to-day?"
"Yes. It is no secret now. Didn't you realise what he meant when he said his regiment was going to Aachen? But, what does it matter? Belgium cannot resist. She must give free passage to our troops. She will protest, of course, just to save her face."
The talk became general among the men. At the moment there was a fixed belief in Germany that Britain would stand aloof from the quarrel. So convinced was Austria of the British attitude that the Viennese mob gathered outside the English ambassador's residence that same evening, and cheered enthusiastically.
During another long wait Dalroy took advantage of the clamour and bustle of a crowded platform to say to Miss Beresford in a low tone, "Are you well advised to proceed _viâ_ Brussels? Why not branch off at Oberhausen, and go home by way of Flushing?"