“The thing that breaks—­my—­heart!” sobbed Cherry, clinging tight, “is that it is all my fault!”

“Oh, no; it’s not, Cherry.  You were too young.  And it’s only one of so many thousands of unhappy marriages!” Alix argued, soothingly.  “Now listen to me, Sis,” she began briskly, as soon as Cherry had somewhat regained her composure.  “We’ll ascertain about this letter; that’s only fair.  If Martin denies it—­”

“Of course he’ll deny it!” Cherry interrupted, from the bitter knowledge she had of him.

Alix again felt daunted for a second by the sheer ugliness and sordidness of the matter, but she returned to the charge bravely.

“Suppose we get Peter to ask him,” she suggested suddenly.  “Peter has a wonderful way of getting the truth out of people!  Poor Cherry, the very mention of his name makes her wince,” Alix thought, watching her sister sorrowfully.  “If Martin can convince Peter that it is not true, then that makes all the difference in the world,” she added, aloud.  “Then you tell Martin frankly that you have the old house ready to live in, and you want to live there.  He—­”

“He’ll never agree to that!” Cherry said, shaking her head.  “But if this is true?” she asked, again indicating the letter.

“Then tell him that unless he agrees absolutely to a separation,” Alix said, “that you will get a divorce!”

“And live here, alone, under that sort of a cloud?” Cherry said, with watering eyes.  “Oh, well!” she said, rising, and going toward the door.  “It’s horrible—­horrible—­horrible—­whatever I do!  What is your idea—­that we should dine, and go to the Orpheum tonight as if nothing had happened, and let all this wait until you can ask Peter to cross-examine Martin?”

“I wonder if Martin would tell me?” Alix mused.

“He’d tell you sooner than Peter!” Cherry prophesied.

“Why couldn’t I pretend that I opened that letter by mistake,” Alix said, thoughtfully, “and frighten him into admitting it, if it’s true!”

“You could,” Cherry admitted, lifelessly.  “But you may be sure it is true enough!” she added.

“Then leave it to me!” Alix said.  “And don’t feel too sad, Cherry.  You’re young, and life may take a turn that changes everything for you.  You always have Peter—­Peter and me, back of you!”

“Alix, you’re the best sister a girl ever had!” Cherry said, passionately, putting her hand on Alix’s shoulder.  “I wish I were as big as you are!  And he’s made me so wretched,” whispered Cherry, with trembling lips, “that sometimes I’ve been sick of life!  But I will investigate this letter, and if it’s not true, I’ll try again, Alix!  I’ll go away with him, if he wants me to, or I’ll live here—­and study French—­and go to lectures with you—­”

“You darling!” Alix said, with an aching heart.  And they smiled through tears as they kissed each other.