Kate had not spoken for a long while, and Montgomery's apprehensions were awakened. Of what could she be thinking? 'Something was on her mind,' he said to himself. 'Something has been on her mind all day,' he continued, and he began to ask himself if he should put his arm around her and beg of her to confide in him. He would have done so if the striking of a clock had not reminded him that they had little time before them if they wished to catch the train, so instead of asking her to confide in him he asked her to try to walk a little faster. She was tired. He offered her his arm.
'We've just time to get to the station and no more; it's lucky we have our tickets.'
The guard on the platform begged them to hasten and to get in anywhere they could. A moment afterwards they jumped into the carriage, and the train rolled with a slight oscillating motion out of the station into the open country. Dim masses of trees, interrupted by spires and roofs, were painted upon a huge orange sky that somehow reminded them of an _opéra bouffe_.
'What are you crying for?' Montgomery asked, bending forward.
'Oh, I don't know!--nothing,' exclaimed Kate, sobbing; 'but I'm very unhappy. I know I've been very wicked, and am sure to be punished for it.'
'God will punish me--know He will. I felt it all to-day in church. I'm done for, I'm done for.'
'You've made a success on the stage. I never saw anyone get on so well in so short a time; and you're loved,' he added with a certain bitterness, 'as much as any woman could be.'
'That's what you think, but I know better. I see him flirting every day with different girls.'
'You imagine those things. Dick couldn't speak roughly to anyone if he tried; but he doesn't care for any woman but you.'
'Of course, you say so. You're his friend.'
'I assure you 'pon my word of honour; I wouldn't tell you so if it weren't true. You're my friend as much as he, aren't you?' and then, as if afraid that she should read his thoughts, he added:
'I'm sure he hasn't kissed anyone since he knew you. I can't put it plainer than that, can I?'
'I'm glad to hear you say so. I don't think you'd tell me a lie; it would be too cruel, wouldn't it? For you know what a position I am in: if Dick were to desert me to-morrow what should I do?'