us went to his club with orders to return for tea,
leaving Emmy to prepare for her meeting with Zora. He had offered to be
present at this first interview so as to give her his support, and
corroborate whatever statement as to his turpitudes she might care to make
in explanation of their decision to live apart. But Emmy preferred to fight
her battle single-handed. Alone he had saved the situation by his very
vagueness. In conjunction with herself there was no knowing what he might
do, for she had resolved to exonerate him from all blame and to attribute
to her own infirmities of disposition this calamitous result of their
marriage.

Now that the hour of meeting approached she grew nervous. Unlike Zora, she
had not inherited her father's fearlessness and joy of battle. The touch of
adventurous spirit which she had received from him had been her undoing, as
it had led her into temptation which the gentle, weak character derived
from her mother had been powerless to resist. All her life she had been
afraid of Zora, subdued by her splendid vitality, humbled before her more
generous accomplishment. And now she was to fight for her honor and her
child's and at the same time for the tender chivalry of the odd, beloved
creature that was her husband. She armed herself with woman's weapons, and
put on a brave face, though her heart thumped like some devilish machine,
racking her mercilessly.

The bell rang. She bent over the boy asleep in the bassinette and gave a
mother's touch or two to the tiny coverlet. She heard the flat door open
and Zora's rich voice inquire for Mrs. Dix. Then Zora, splendid, deep
bosomed, glowing with color, bringing with her a perfume of furs and
violets, sailed into the room and took her into her arms. Emmy felt fluffy
and insignificant.

"How well you're looking, dear. I declare you are prettier than ever.
You've filled out. I didn't come the first thing this morning as I wanted
to, because I knew you would find everything topsy-turvy in the flat.
Septimus is a dear, but I haven't much faith in his domestic capabilities."

"The flat was in perfect order," said Emmy. "Even that bunch of roses in a
jar."

"Did he remember to put in the water?"

Zora laughed, meaning to be kind and generous, to make it evident to Emmy
that she had not come as a violent partisan of Septimus, and to lay a
pleasant, familiar foundation for the discussion in prospect. But Emmy
resented the note of disparagement.

"Of