CHAPTER XI.
"Good heavens, mother, they're married!" cried Zora, staring at a telegram she had just received.
Mrs.Oldrieve woke with a start from her after-luncheon nap.
"Who, dear ?" "Why, Emmy and Septimus Dix.

Read it." Mrs.Oldrieve put on her glasses with faltering fingers, and read aloud the words as if they had been in a foreign language: "Septimus and I were married this morning at the Chelsea Registrar's.

We start for Paris by the 2.30.Will let you know our plans.

Love to mother from us both.

Emmy." "What does this mean, dear ?" "It means, my dear mother, that they're married," said Zora; "but why they should have thought it necessary to run away to do it in this hole-and-corner fashion I can't imagine." "It's very terrible," said Mrs.Oldrieve.
"It's worse than terrible.