way, to Emmy's coming. He would
live, perhaps, sometimes in Nunsmere and sometimes in London. Quite lately,
on visiting his bankers, in order to make arrangements for the disposal of
his income, he was surprised to find how rich he was; and the manager, an
astoundingly well-informed person, explained that a commercial concern in
which he held many shares had reached such a pitch of prosperity as to
treble his dividends. He went away with the vague notion that commercial
companies were models of altruistic generosity. The main point, however,
made clear by the exceptionally intelligent manager, being that he was
richer by several hundreds a year, he began to dream of a more resplendent
residence for Emmy and the boy than the little flat in Chelsea. He had
observed that there were very nice houses in Berkeley Square. He wondered
how much a year they were, with rates and taxes. For himself, he could
perch in any attic close by. He resolved to discuss Berkeley Square with
Emmy as soon as she arrived. William Octavius Oldrieve Dix, Member of
Parliament, ought to start life in proper surroundings.

Clem Sypher, down for the week-end at Penton Court, burst in upon him
during the afternoon. He came with exciting news. The high official in the
Ordnance Department of the War Office had written to him that morning to
the effect that he was so greatly impressed by the new quick-firing gun
that he proposed to experiment forthwith, and desired to be put into
communication with the inventor.

"That's very nice," said Septimus, "but shall I have to go and see him?"

"Of course," cried Sypher. "You'll have to interview boards and gunners
and engineers, and superintend experiments. You'll be a person of
tremendous importance."

"Oh, dear!" said Septimus, "I couldn't. I couldn't, really."

He was panic-stricken at the notion.

"You'll have to," laughed Sypher.

Septimus clutched at straws. "I'm afraid I shall be too busy. Emmy's coming
to London--and there's the boy's education. You see, he has to go to
Cambridge. Look here," he added, a brilliant idea occurring to him, "I'm
fearfully rich; I don't want any more money. I'll sell you the thing
outright for the two hundred pounds you advanced me, and then I shan't have
anything more to do with it."

"I think before you make any proposals of the kind you ought to consult
Mrs. Dix," said Sypher with a laugh.

"Or Zora."

"Or Zora," said Sypher. "She came down by the same train as