At that moment another clerk entered the room.
"What is it, Mr. Jones?" demanded the lawyer.
"A lady to see you, judge," said the clerk, handing him a card.
The lawyer glanced at the bit of pasteboard, and said immediately:
"Oh, yes, show her in."
The two clerks left the room and Judge Brewster, after a glance in the mirror to re-adjust his cravat, turned to greet his visitor. The door opened and Alicia entered. She was faultlessly gowned, as usual, but her manner was flurried and agitated. Evidently something had happened to upset her, and she had come to make her husband's lawyer the confidant of her troubles. The judge advanced gallantly and pointed to a chair.
"Good morning, my dear Mrs. Jeffries, how do you do?"
"Is Mr. Jeffries here?" asked Alicia hurriedly.
"Not yet," he replied, smiling. "This is an unexpected pleasure. I think it is the first time you have graced my office with your presence."
"How quiet it is here!" she exclaimed, looking around nervously. "It is hard to believe this is the very centre of the city." Taking the seat offered to her, she went on: