Septimus, in his hesitating way.

"I can't, I can't!" she cried. Then she burst into tears, and, afraid lest
Zora should surprise her, left the room without another word.

On such occasions the most experienced man is helpless. He shrugs his
shoulders, says "Whew!" and lights a cigarette. Septimus, with an infant's
knowledge of the ways of young women, felt terribly distressed by the
tragedy of her tears. Something must be done to stop them. He might start
at once for Naples, and, by the help of strong gendarmes whom he might
suborn, bring back Mordaunt Prince presently to London. Then he remembered
his overdrawn banking account, and sighfully gave up the idea. If only he
were not bound to secrecy and could confide in Zora. This a sensitive honor
forbade. What could he do? As the fire was getting low he mechanically put
on a lump of coal with the pincers. When Zora returned with the atlas she
found him rubbing them through his hair, and staring at vacancy.

"If I do go round the world," said Zora, a little while later, when they
had settled on which side of South America Valparaiso was situated--and how
many nice and clever people could tell you positively, offhand?--"if I go
round the world, you and Emmy will have to come too. It would do her good.
She has not been looking well lately."

"It would be the very thing for her," said he.

"And for you too, Septimus," she remarked, with a quizzical glance and
smile.

"It's always good for me to be where you are."