s. They were pleasantly tired and lingered over their tea in a
companionable silence. Septimus ruminated dreamily over the nauseous
entanglement of a chocolate eclair and a cigarette while Zora idly watched
the burly Englishman. Presently she saw him do an odd thing. He tore out
the middle of the magazine,--it bore an American title on the
outside,--handed it to the waiter and put the advertisement pages in his
pocket. From another pocket he drew another magazine, and read the
advertisement pages of that with concentrated interest.

Her attention was soon distracted by a young couple, man and woman,
decently dressed, who passed along the terrace, glanced at her, repassed
and looked at her more attentively, the woman wistfully, and then stopped
out of earshot and spoke a few words together. They returned, seemed to
hesitate, and at last the woman, taking courage, advanced and addressed
her.

"_Pardon, Madame_--but Madame looks so kind. Perhaps will she pardon the
liberty of my addressing her?"

Zora smiled graciously. The woman was young, fragile, careworn, and a
piteous appeal lay in her eyes. The man drew near and raised his hat
apologetically. The woman continued. They had seen Madame there--and
Monsieur--both looked kind, like all English people. Although she was
French she was forced to admit the superior generosity of the English. They
had hesitated, but the kind look of Madame had made her confident. They
were from Havre. They had come to Nice to look after a lawsuit. Nearly all
their money had gone. They had a little baby who was ill. In desperation
they had brought the remainder of their slender fortune to Monte Carlo.
They had lost it. It was foolish, but yet the baby came out that day with
nine red spots on its chest and it seemed as if it was a sign from the bon
Dieu that they should back nine and red at the tables. Now she knew too
late that it was measles and not a sign from the bon Dieu at all. But they
were penniless. The baby wanted physic and a doctor and would die. As a
last resource they resolved to sink their pride and appeal to the
generosity of Monsieur and Madame. The woman's wistful eyes filled with
tears and the corners of her mouth quivered. The man with a great effort
choked a sob. Zora's generous heart melted at the tale. It rang so stupidly
true. The fragile creature's air was so pathetic. She opened her purse.

"Will a hundred francs be of any use to you?" she asked in her schoolgirl
Fre