“‘Sir, you are very polite,’ replied the lady, who lowered down the window, adding, ‘I like fresh air.’
“‘Perhaps you will find yourself less incommoded if you take off your veil?’
“‘I will not ascribe that proposition to curiosity on your part, sir,’ replied the lady, ‘as you have already seen my face.’
“‘You cannot, then, be surprised at my wishing to see it once more.’
“‘You are very polite, sir.’
“Although her voice was soft, there was a certain quickness and decision in her manner and language which were very remarkable. The other passengers now addressed her, and the conversation became general. The veiled lady took her share in it, and showed a great deal of smartness and repartee. In an hour more we were all very intimate. As we changed horses, I took down my hat to put into it my cigar-case, which I had left in my pocket, upon which the lady observed, ‘You smoke, I perceive; and so, I dare say, do all the rest of the gentlemen. Now, do not mind me; I am fond of the smell of tobacco—I am used to it.’
“We hesitated.
“‘Nay, more, I smoke myself, and will take a cigar with you.’
“This was decisive. I offered my cigar-case—another gentleman struck a light. Lifting up her veil so as to show a very pretty mouth, with teeth as white as snow, she put the cigar in her mouth, and set us the example. In a minute both windows were down, every one had a cigar in his mouth.
“‘Where did you learn to smoke, madam?’ was a question put to the incognita by the passenger who sat next to her.