You see," she went on, a trace of dewiness in her frank eyes, "I love Emmy dearly, and in a sort of way I love you, too.

And need I give any more explanation ?" It was an honorable amends, royally made.

Zora had a magnificent style in doing such things: an indiscreet, venturesome, meddlesome princess she might be, if you will; somewhat unreserved, somewhat too conscious of her own Zoraesque sufficiency to possess the true womanly intuition and sympathy; but still a princess who had the grand manner in her scorn of trivialities.

Septimus's hand shook a little as he fitted the tail to the hollow bit of china dog-end.

It was sweet to be loved, although it was bitter to be loved in a sort of way.