"I thought you told me to see first if I were needed," responded a voice that even the distance and the planks did not prevent me from recognizing as that of Lord Ralles.
"Yes," said she. "You are sure you can be spared?"
"I couldn't be of the slightest use," asserted Ralles, getting on to the platform and joining Madge. "It's as black as ink everywhere, and I don't think there's anything to be done till daylight."
"Then I'm glad you came back, for I really want to say something—to ask the greatest favor of you."
"You only have to tell me what it is," said his lordship.
"Even that is very hard," murmured Madge. "If—if—Oh! I'm afraid I haven't the courage, after all."
"I'll be glad to do anything I can."
"It's—well—Oh, dear, I can't. Let's walk a little, while I think how to put it."
They began to walk, which took a weight off my mind, as I had been forced to hear every word thus far spoken, and was dreading what might follow, since I was perfectly helpless to warn them. The platform was built around the station, and in a moment they were out of hearing.
Before many seconds were over, however, they had walked round the building, and I heard Lord Ralles say—