Though it was but just after nine, the early omnibus had gathered its tribute of toiling or shopping worms, and was too prevalent in Park Lane for my peace of mind.  There were also enormous drays, which looked, as our frail bark passed under their bows, like huge Atlantic liners.  The hansoms were fierce black sharks skimming viciously round us, and there were other monsters whose forms I had no time to analyse:  but into the midst of this seething ocean Molly pitilessly hurled us.  How we slipped into spaces half our own width and came out scatheless, Providence alone knew, but it seemed that kindly Fate must soon tire of sparing us, we tempted it so often.

“Here’s a smash!” I said to myself grimly, at the corner of Hamilton Place, and it flashed through my brain, with a mixture of self-contempt and pity, that my last thought before the end would be one of sordid satisfaction because a fortnight ago I had reluctantly paid an accident assurance premium.

My fingers yearned with magnetic attraction toward the arms of the seat, but with all that was manly in me I resisted.  I wreathed my face with a smile which, though stiff as a plaster mask, was a useful screen; and as South African tan is warranted not to wear off during a lifetime, I could feel as pale as I pleased without visible disgrace.

“How do you like it?” asked Molly.

“Glorious,” I breezily returned.

“Ah, I thought you would enjoy it, when—­as they say of babies—­you ‘began to take notice.’  The other night, of course, you were a little absent-minded.  Besides, it was dark, and the streets were dull and empty.  A motor is just as nice as a horse, isn’t it?  Do say so, if only to please me.”

Now I knew why the victims of the Inquisition told any lie which happened to come handy.  I said that it was marvellous how soon the thing got hold of one; and Molly’s mushroom reared itself proudly.  “That is because you are so brave,” said the poor, deceived girl.  “Of course it’s having been a soldier, and all that.  People who’ve been in battle wouldn’t think anything of a first motor experience ("Oh, wouldn’t they?” I inwardly chortled).  But, do you know, Lord Lane, I’ve actually seen men who were quite brave in other ways, feel a little queer the first time they drove in an automobile through traffic, or even in quiet country roads?  I don’t suppose you can understand it.”

“I couldn’t,” I replied valiantly, “were not imagination the first ingredient of sympathy.  But—­er—­don’t you think that omnibus in front is rather large—­near, I mean?  You mustn’t exert yourself to talk, you know, for my sake, if you need to give your whole attention to driving.”

“I like to talk.  It’s no exertion at all,” said Molly, and I fancy I responded with some base flattery, though by this time that smile of mine was so hard you could have knocked it off with a hammer.

“The first day I went through traffic,” she continued, “my toes had the funniest sensation, as if they were turning up in my shoes.  One seemed to come so awfully near everything, without any horses in front.”