"With the very greatest pleasure," she said, quickly; "please count one, two, three."
He counted; there came a discreet movement, and from under the hem of her gown there appeared a dainty shoe, accompanied by a larger masculine companion. He bent down, his fingers seemed to be all thumbs, and he grew redder and redder.
"Perhaps I can do it," she said, stripping off her gloves and bending over. A stray tendril of bright hair brushed his cheek as their heads almost came together.
"Goodness, what a dreadful knot!" she breathed, her smooth fingers busy. The perfume of her hair, her gloves, her gown thrilled him; he looked at her face, now flushed with effort; his eyes fell on her delicate hands, her distractingly pretty foot, in its small, polished shoe.
"Patience," she said, calmly; "this knot must give way——"
"If it doesn't——"
"Madness lies that way," she breathed. "Wait! Don't dare to move your foot!"
"We are approaching a station; shall I cut it?" he asked.
"No—wait! I think I have solved it. There!" she cried with a breathless laugh. "We are free!"