ON OUR WAY TO LUCERNE
We started on our tour through Switzerland and went full speed in an
express train to Lucerne. The scenery around us was lovely. Passing
through the province “La Champagne,” so rich in vineyards, we perceived
small white cottages with the vines in front. On the mountain slopes
bunches of newly-mown herbs were scattered; men and women were helping
to heap the grass into heavily laden carts. I was in ecstasies over the
marvellous landscape that met our eyes immediately after leaving Liège.
The delightful panorama reminded me of the Caucasus, only it was more
pacific and thickly populated. Our train ran through countless tunnels
and went twining in and out through patches of pasturage, so green,
smooth and rich; big fat cows grazed lazily thereon. The road zigzags
all the time, the sun appearing alternatively on our right or our left.
The steep hills are covered with dense forests through which cascades
are pouring down. We were winding higher and higher with every mile. The
cars are very comfortable, with a long corridor along the side, where
one can walk up and down. Feeling cramped with sitting, I went out there
to stretch my legs, and saw a young man undeniably good-looking, whose
appearance spoke the last word of fashion and who resembled a tailor’s
model from a Paris shop-window. He twisted his moustache and stared so
hard at me that I hurried back to my place, but this hunter of petticoats
followed me and sat down on the vacant seat opposite to me. I settled
myself far back into my corner and tried to hide myself behind my book,
but every time I raised my eyes I met his stare. A draught of air blew
in from the corridor “Shall I shut the door?” suddenly ejaculated the
passenger by way of opening conversation. I said “no,” the “no” of a
woman who was not to be drawn into a talk. Disregarding my cold tone,
he insisted on lending me his rug, tucking it round my knees and under
my feet, but I disencumbered myself hastily from his coverlet, which
was very efficacious in lowering his enterprising spirits, and put that
brazen-faced swell quickly into his place. It was a good blow to his
self-conceit, he evidently took offence and left me alone.