t when any rebuke would have
braced her sympathy was undoing.

"Why, of course!"

"May I tell you why I came?"

"Will you have some tea first? You are tired!"

"No thanks, really. I had numerous cups of coffee on my way here."

"Then let me hear all you want to tell me. Even if I can't help you, I
know how nice it is to talk over one's troubles with another woman.
You have lived very much cut off from women's society all these months.
Where is Mr. Amory? Did he go into the desert? We haven't heard of
him or from him since he spoke to my husband about going off on a long
journey. He had a great scheme in his head. He's an odd creature."
She laughed. "You and I both like individualities, I think."

"He went into the eastern desert soon after you saw him. I haven't
heard from him since he went. His letters may have gone astray. But
in the meantime a report has been spread abroad that he has taken a
woman with him, a Mrs. Mervill. Have you heard of her?"

"Millicent Mervill? I know her!"

"Well, she is in love with him. You know how beautiful she is. . . ."
Margaret's voice lost its steadiness.

"Yes, and also I know how thoroughly lacking in morals. She is very
well-known by this time. Last season she was the fashion; she
entertained lavishly. This year she has thrown caution to the winds."

"She certainly has, for she has positively hunted Michael to earth."

"Michael Amory, of all men!" Hadassah's laugh encouraged Margaret; it
was so expressive of what she herself felt.

"Yes, I think she is annoyed because. . . ." Margaret paused ". . .
well, I can't express what I mean, but Michael isn't that sort. He
would be her friend if she would let him, but friendship isn't enough."

"I know what you mean. He certainly isn't that sort, there can be no
mistaking that."

Margaret smiled happily. "Then you believe he isn't?"

"Of course! Who doesn't?"

"My brother objects to my name being mixed up in the scandal." Margaret
had evaded answering Hadassah's question.

"But what scandal?"

"The reports that are going about that Mrs. Mervill is with him in the
desert, that that is why I haven't heard from Mike. Everyone is saying
it." Meg's words conveyed an apology for her brother.

"Your brother really believes this, and yet he knows Mr. Amory?"

"Yes. But you mustn't blame him. He has tried not to believe it; he
is really awfully good about it all. And I must admit that it looks as