Wait, Just You Wait — Evelyn Berckman

The approach of the first interview reduced Dilys Trayne to a far worse state than she had anticipated more and more she shrank from confrontation with the persons involved. Merely the thought of their sharp variations of nature and temperament brought her out in an over-all dampness, a cowardly swooning in her stomach. This first scheduled arrival, this courteous considerate familiar of her bed, would all at once face her as an enemy, the same man yet not the same man; the thoughts of the violent transformation affected her like a violent change of focus, dizzying till adjusted. Then added to this strain would be the absolute necessity of keeping the upper hand throughout their talk, of imposing her conditions without betraying her own stage fright -- to say nothing of her questionable talent as a blackmailer.