But the flyer was deaf to
their cries, callous against their tears. It whistled off into the
north, carrying two trusting, nervous young women, who were secure in
the belief that their liege lords to be were aboard, utterly
unconscious of the true state of affairs. In the drawing-room of Car 5
Eleanor was still sitting, with her veil down, her raincoat saturating
the couch on which she sat stiff and silent. Anne Courtenay in Car 7
was philosophically preparing for bed, absolutely confident that the
Englishman she had loved for years was not going to fail her.
Windomshire, alas, came to grief in his useless pursuit. He fell off
the end of the platform and rolled in the mud, half stunned. When he
painfully picked himself up, he saw Dauntless sitting on the edge of
the walk, his haggard, staring face lighted by the glare of a
sympathetic lantern. The station agent was offering vain but well-
intended commiseration.
"Good God!" he heard Joe groan, but he did not catch the words, "she's
gone without me!"
The next instant the distracted eloper was on his feet demanding a
special engine.
"I've got to have it!" he shouted.
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