Document:

Tier II

          Form of
          Executive Severance Agreement
          for ________________________

          Earthgrains Company

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Contents

Article 1.  Establishment, Term, and Purpose        1

Article 2.  Definitions                             2

Article 3.  Severance Benefits                      5

Article 4.  Form and Timing of Severance Benefits   7

Article 5.  Excise Tax Equalization Payment         7

Article 6.  Establishment of Trust                  9

Article 7:  Mitigation                              9

Article 8.  Legal Remedies                          9

Article 9.  Outplacement Assistance                 11

Article 10. Successors and Assignment               11

Article 11. Miscellaneous                           11

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The Earthgrains Company
 Executive Severance Agreement

     THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of the
____day of ____, 1999 (the "Effective Date"), by and between
The Earthgrains Company (hereinafter referred to as the
"Company") and ____________ (hereinafter referred to as the
"Executive").

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has
approved the Company entering into severance agreements with
certain key executives of the Company;

     WHEREAS, the Executive is a key executive of the
Company;

     WHEREAS, should the possibility of a Change in Control
of the Company arise, the Board believes it is imperative
that the Company and the Board should be able to rely upon
the Executive to continue in his position, and that the
Company should be able to receive and rely upon the
Executive's advice, if requested, as to the best interests
of the Company and its shareholders without concern that the
Executive might be distracted by the personal uncertainties
and risks created by the possibility of a Change in Control;

     WHEREAS, should the possibility of a Change in Control
arise, in addition to his regular duties, the Executive may
be called upon to assist in the assessment of such possible
Change in Control, advise management and the Board as to
whether such Change in Control would be in the best
interests of the Company and its shareholders, and to take
such other actions as the Board might determine to be
appropriate; and

     NOW THEREFORE, to assure the Company that it will have
the continued dedication of the Executive and the
availability of his advice and counsel notwithstanding the
possibility, threat, or occurrence of a Change in Control of
the Company, and to induce the Executive to remain in the
employ of the Company, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the Company and the Executive agree as
follows:

Article 1.  Establishment, Term, and Purpose

     This Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and
shall continue in effect for three (3) full years. However,
at the end of such three (3) year period and, if extended,
at the end of each additional year thereafter, the term of
this Agreement shall be extended automatically for one (1)
additional year, unless the Committee delivers written
notice six (6) months prior to the end of such term, or
extended term, to the Executive, that the Agreement will not
be extended. In such case, the Agreement will terminate at
the end of the term, or extended term, then in progress.

     However, in the event a Change in Control occurs during
the original or any extended term, this Agreement will
remain in effect for the longer of: (i) twenty-four (24)
months beyond the month in which such Change in Control
occurred; or (ii) until all obligations of the Company
hereunder have been fulfilled, and until all benefits
required hereunder have been paid to the Executive.

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Article 2.  Definitions

     Whenever used in this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the meanings set forth below and, when the
meaning is intended, the initial letter of the word is
capitalized.

     (a)  "Base Salary" means the salary of record paid to
an Executive as annual salary, excluding amounts received
under incentive or other bonus plans, whether or not
deferred.

     (b)  "Beneficial Owner" shall have the meaning ascribed
to such term in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Exchange Act.

     (c)  "Beneficiary" means the persons or entities
designated or deemed designated by the Executive pursuant to
Paragraph 11.2 herein.

     (d)  "Board" means the Board of Directors of the
Company.

     (e)  "Cause" means:

          (i)  The Executive's willful and continued failure
to substantially perform his duties with the Company (other
than any such failure resulting from disability or occurring
after issuance by the Executive of a Notice of Termination
for Good Reason), after a written demand for substantial
performance is delivered to the Executive that specifically
identifies the manner in which the Company believes that the
Executive has willfully failed to substantially perform his
duties, and after the Executive has failed to resume
substantial performance of his duties on a continuous basis
within thirty (30) calendar days of receiving such demand;

          (ii)  The Executive's willfully engaging in
conduct (other than conduct covered under (i) above) which
is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company,
monetarily or otherwise. For purposes of this subparagraph,
no act, or failure to act, on the Executive's part shall be
deemed "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by the
Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief
that the action or omission was in the best interests of the
Company; or

          (iii)  The Executive's having been convicted of a
felony.

     (f)  "Change in Control" of the Company shall be deemed
to have occurred as of the first day that any one or more of
the following conditions is satisfied:
          (i)  The "beneficial ownership" (as defined in
Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities
representing more than thirty percent (30%) of the combined
voting power of the Company is acquired by a Person (other
than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding
securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or
an affiliate thereof, or any corporation owned, directly or
indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership of
stock of the Company); or

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          (ii)  The stockholders of the Company approve a
definitive agreement to merge or consolidate the Company
with or into another company;

          (iii)  The stockholders of the Company (a) approve
an agreement for the sale or disposition of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets, or (b) adopt a
plan for liquidation; or

     (iv)  The Incumbent Directors cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors.

However, in no event shall a Change in Control be deemed to
have occurred, with respect to the Executive, if the
Executive is part of a purchasing group which consummates
the Change-in-Control transaction. The Executive shall be
deemed "part of a purchasing group" for purposes of the
preceding sentence if the Executive is an equity participant
in the purchasing company or group (except for: (a) passive
ownership of less than three percent (3%) of the stock of
the purchasing company; or (b) ownership of equity
participation in the purchasing company or group which is
otherwise not significant, as determined prior to the Change
in Control by a majority of the nonemployee continuing
Directors).

Notwithstanding the occurrence of any of the foregoing
events, a Change in Control should not occur with respect to
the Executive if, in advance of such event, Executive agrees
in writing that such event shall not constitute a Change in
Control.

     (g)  "Code" means the United States Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, and any successors thereto.

     (h)  "Committee" means the Compensation and Human
Resources Committee of the Board or any other committee
appointed by the Board.

     (i)  "Company" means The Earthgrains Company, a
Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto as provided
in Article 10 herein.

     (j)  "Effective Date of Termination" means the date on
which a Qualifying Termination occurs which triggers the
payment of Severance Benefits hereunder.

     (k)  "Exchange Act" means the United States Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successors
thereto.

     (l)  "Good Reason" shall mean, without the Executive's
express written consent, the occurrence of any one or more
of the following:

          (i)  The assignment of the Executive to duties
materially inconsistent with the Executive's authorities,
duties, responsibilities, and status (including offices and
reporting requirements) as an employee of the Company, or a
reduction in the nature or status of the Executive's
authorities, duties, or responsibilities from the greater
of: (a) those in effect on the Effective Date; (b) those in
effect during the

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fiscal year immediately preceding the year of the Change in
Control; or (c) those in effect immediately preceding the
Change in Control;

           (ii)  The Company's requiring the Executive to
relocate his place of employment to a new location and as a
direct result of such relocation, Executive's one-way
commute from the Executive's primary residence to the
Executive's place of employment would increase by fifty (50)
miles;

          (iii)  A reduction by the Company in the
Executive's Base Salary as in effect on the Effective Date
or as the same shall be increased from time to time;

          (iv)  A material reduction in the Executive's
level of participation in any of the Company's short-and/or
long-term incentive compensation plans, or employee benefit
or retirement plans, policies, practices, or arrangements in
which the Executive participates from the greater of the
levels in place on: (a) the Effective Date; (b) the fiscal
year immediately preceding the Change in Control; or (c)
immediately preceding the Change in Control; provided,
however, that reductions in the levels of participation in
any such plans shall not be deemed to be "Good Reason" if
the Executive's reduced level of participation in each such
program remains substantially consistent with the average
level of participation of other executives of the Company
who have positions commensurate with the Executive's
position;

          (v)  The failure of the Company to obtain a
satisfactory agreement from any successor to the Company to
assume and agree to perform this Agreement, as contemplated
in Article 10 herein; or

          (vi)  Any termination of Executive's employment by
the Company that is not effected pursuant to a Notice of
Termination;

provided, however, that any action or omission by the
Company after a Merger of Equals that is specified in
clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and (v) of this subparagraph
and is not intentional or willful shall not constitute Good
Reason unless (x) the Executive shall give the Company a
written notice that identifies such action or omission and
specifically refers to this Paragraph, and (y) the Company
shall fail for any reason to cure such act or omission
within 30 days after the Executive gives the Company such
notice.

The Executive's continued employment shall not constitute a
waiver of the Executive's rights with respect to any
circumstance constituting Good Reason.

     (m)  "Incumbent Directors" shall mean as of the
Effective Date, individuals then serving as members of the
Board who were members of the Board as of the date
immediately preceding such baseline date; provided that any
subsequently-appointed or elected member of the Board whose
election to the Board or nomination for election by the
Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least
two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who
either were directors at the beginning of the period or
whose election or nomination for election was previously
approved.

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     (n)  "Merger of Equals" means, as of any date, a
transaction that, notwithstanding the fact that such
transaction may also qualify as a Change in Control pursuant
to subparagraph 2(f)(ii), satisfies all of the terms and
conditions set forth in (i) and (ii) below:

          (i)  At least sixty percent (60%), but not more
than seventy percent (70%), of the combined voting power of
the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding
immediately after the consummation of the transaction shall
be owned, directly or indirectly, by the persons who were
the owners, directly or indirectly, of the voting securities
of the Company immediately before such consummation in
substantially the same proportions as their respective
direct or indirect ownership, immediately before such
consummation, of the voting securities of the Company; and

          (ii)  Incumbent Directors shall continue to
constitute a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors.

     (o)  "Notice of Termination" shall mean a written
notice which shall indicate the specific termination
provision in this Agreement relied upon, and shall set forth
in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to
provide a basis for termination of the Executive's
employment under the provision so indicated.

     (p)  "Person" shall have the meaning ascribed to such
term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in
Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a "group" as
provided in Section 13(d).

     (q)  "Qualifying Termination" means any of the events
described in Paragraph 3.2 herein, the occurrence of which
triggers the payment of Severance Benefits hereunder.

     (r)  "Severance Benefits" means the payment of
severance compensation as provided in Paragraph 3.3 herein.

     (s)  "Trust" means the Company grantor trust to be
created pursuant to Article 6 of this Agreement.

Article 3.  Severance Benefits

     3.1  Right to Severance Benefits. The Executive shall
be entitled to receive from the Company Severance Benefits,
as described in Paragraph 3.3 herein, if there has been a
Qualifying Termination.

     The Executive shall not be entitled to receive
Severance Benefits if he is terminated for Cause.

     3.2  Qualifying Termination. The occurrence of any one
or more of the following events shall trigger the payment of
Severance Benefits to the Executive under this Agreement:

          (a)  An involuntary termination of the Executive's
employment by the Company for reasons other than Cause
within twenty-four (24) calendar months following a Change
in Control of the Company pursuant to a Notice of
Termination delivered to the Executive by the Company;

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          (b)  A voluntary termination by the Executive for
Good Reason within twenty-four (24) calendar months
following a Change in Control of the Company pursuant to a
Notice of Termination delivered to the Company by the
Executive;

          (c)  The Company or any successor company breaches
any of the provisions of this Agreement.

     3.3  Description of Severance Benefits. In the event
the Executive becomes entitled to receive Severance
Benefits, as provided in Paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2 herein, the
Company shall pay to the Executive and provide him with the
following:

          (a)  An amount equal to two (2) times the highest
rate of the Executive's annualized Base Salary in effect at
any time up to and including the Effective Date of
Termination.

          (b)  An amount equal to two (2) times the
Executive's highest target annual bonus for any plan year up
to and including the year in which the Executive's Effective
Date of Termination occurs.

          (c)  An amount equal to the Executive's unpaid
Base Salary, accrued vacation pay, and earned but not taken
vacation pay through the Effective Date of Termination.

          (d)  An amount equal to the Executive's unpaid
target annual bonus, established for the plan year in which
the Executive's Effective Date of Termination occurs,
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
number of days completed in the then-existing fiscal year
through the Effective Date of Termination and the
denominator of which is three hundred sixty-five (365).

          (e)  A continuation for twenty-four (24) months
after the Effective Date of Termination of the welfare
benefits (including medical, prescription, dental,
disability, salary continuation, individual life, group
life, accidental death, and travel accident insurance plans
and programs) which are at least as favorable as the most
favorable plans and programs as applicable to other peer
executives and their families as of the Effective Date of
Termination, but which are in no event less favorable than
the most favorable plans and programs applicable to other
peer executives and their families during the ninety (90)
day period immediately before the Effective date.

These benefits shall be provided to the Executive at the
same premium cost, and at the same coverage level, as in
effect as of the Executive's Effective Date of Termination.
However, in the event the premium cost and/or level of
coverage shall change for all employees of the Company, or
for management employees with respect to supplemental
benefits, the cost and/or coverage level, likewise, shall
change for the Executive in a corresponding manner.

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          (f)  The continuation of these welfare benefits
shall be discontinued prior to the end of the twenty-four
(24) month period in the event the Executive has available
substantially similar benefits at a comparable cost from a
subsequent employer, as determined by the Committee.

     In the event the Executive became entitled to receive
Severance Benefits, as provided in Paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2
herein, the Executive shall immediately be fully vested in
all benefits accrued by the Executive under The Earthgrains
Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the "SERP"),
and successor plans thereto sponsored by the Company.  The
aggregate benefits accrued by the Executive as of the
Effective Date of Termination under the The Earthgrains
Company 401(k) Restoration Plan, the SERP, and successor
plans thereto sponsored by the Company shall be paid in cash
to the Executive in a single lump sum as soon as practical
following the Effective Date of Termination. For purposes of
the Company's nonqualified retirement plans, such benefits
shall be calculated under the assumption that the
Executive's employment continued following the Effective
Date of Termination for twenty-four (24) months (i.e., two
(2) additional years of age and service credits shall be
added); provided, however, that for purposes of determining
"final average pay" under such programs, the Executive's
actual pay history as of the Effective Date of Termination
shall be used.

     3.4  Notice of Termination. Any termination of
employment by the Company or by the Executive for Good
Reason shall be communicated by a Notice of Termination.

Once a Notice of Termination has been provided, the
Executive's subsequent death or diability shall have no
effect upon such executive's right or the right of such
executive's estate, to collect the Severance Benefits.
Article 4.  Form and Timing of Severance Benefits

     4.1  Form and Timing of Severance Benefits. The
Severance Benefits described in Paragraphs 3.3(a), 3.3(b),
3.3(c), and 3.3(d) herein shall be paid in cash to the
Executive in a single lump sum as soon as practicable
following the Effective Date of Termination, but in no event
beyond thirty (30) days from such date.

     4.2  Withholding of Taxes. The Company shall be
entitled to withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement all taxes as legally shall be required (including,
without limitation, any United States federal taxes and any
other state, city, or local taxes).

Article 5.  Excise Tax Equalization Payment

     5.1  Excise Tax Equalization Payment. In the event that
the Executive becomes entitled to Severance Benefits or any
other payment or benefit under this Agreement, or under any
other agreement with or plan of the company (in the
aggregate, the "Total Payments"), if all or any part of the
Total Payments will be subject to the tax (the "Excise Tax")
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any similar tax that
may hereafter be imposed ("Section 4999), the Company shall
pay to the Executive in cash an additional amount (the
"Gross-Up Payment") which after deduction of: (i) any Excise
Tax under Section 4999 thereon; (ii) any federal, state, and
local income tax thereon; and (iii) any F.I.C.A tax thereon
shall be equal to the Excise Tax on such Total Payments. The
Gross-Up Payment shall be made by the Company to the
Executive as soon as practical following the Effective Date
of Termination, but in no event beyond thirty (30) days from
such date.

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     5.2  Tax Computation. For purposes of determining
whether any of the Total Payments will be subject to the
Excise Tax and the amounts of such Excise Tax:

          (a)Any other payments or benefits received or to
be received by the Executive in connection with a Change in
Control of the Company or the Executive's termination of
employment (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
or any other plan, arrangement, or agreement with the
Company, or with any Person whose actions result in a Change
in Control of the Company or any Person affiliated with the
Company or such Persons) shall be treated as "parachute
payments" within the meaning of Paragraph 280G(b)(2) of the
Code, and all "excess parachute payments" within the meaning
of Paragraph 280G(b)(1) shall be treated as subject to the
Excise Tax, unless in the opinion of tax counsel as
supported by the Company's independent auditors and
acceptable to the Executive, such other payments or benefits
(in whole or in part) do not constitute parachute payments,
or unless such excess parachute payments (in whole or in
part) represent reasonable compensation for services
actually rendered within the meaning of Paragraph 280G(b)(4)
of the Code in excess of the base amount within the meaning
of Paragraph 280G(b)(3) of the Code, or are otherwise not
subject to the Excise Tax;

          (b)  The amount of the Total Payments which shall
be treated as subject to the Excise Tax shall be equal to
the lesser of: (i) the total amount of the Total Payments;
or (ii) the amount of excess parachute payments within the
meaning of Paragraph 280G(b)(1) (after applying clause (a)
above); and

          (c)  The value of any noncash benefits or any
deferred payment or benefit shall be determined by the
Company's independent auditors in accordance with the
principles of Paragraphs 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code.

     For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up
Payment, the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income
taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income
taxation in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment
is to be made, and state and local income taxes at the
highest marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality
of the Executive's residence on the Effective Date of
Termination, net of the maximum reduction in federal income
taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state
and local taxes.

     5.3  Subsequent Recalculation. In the event the
Internal Revenue Service adjusts the computation of the
Company under Paragraph 5.2 herein so that the Executive did
not receive the greatest net benefit, the Company shall
reimburse the Executive for the full amount necessary to
make the Executive whole, plus a market rate of interest, as
determined by the Committee.

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Article 6.  Establishment of Trust

     As soon as practicable following the Effective Date
hereof, the Company shall create a Trust (which shall be a
grantor trust within the meaning of Paragraphs 671-678 of
the Internal Revenue Code) for the benefit of the Executive
and Beneficiaries, as appropriate. The Trust shall have a
Trustee as selected by the Company, and shall have certain
restrictions as to the Company's ability to amend the Trust
or cancel benefits provided thereunder. Any assets contained
in the Trust shall, at all times, be specifically subject to
the claims of the Company's general creditors in the event
of bankruptcy or insolvency; such terms to be specifically
defined within the provisions of the Trust, along with the
required procedure for notifying the Trustee of any
bankruptcy or insolvency.

     At any time following the Effective Date hereof, the
Company may, but is not obligated to, deposit assets in the
Trust in an amount equal to or less than the aggregate
Severance Benefits with may become due to the Executive
under Paragraphs 3.3 and 5.1 of this Agreement.

     Upon a Change in Control, the Trust shall become
irrevocable and the Company shall deposit assets in such
Trust in an amount equal to the aggregate Severance Benefits
which may become due to the Executive under Paragraphs 3.3
and 5.1 of this Agreement.

Article 7.  Mitigation

     The Executive shall not be obligated to seek other
employment in mitigation of the amounts payable or
arrangements made under any provision of this Agreement, and
the obtaining of any such other employment shall in no event
effect any reduction of the Company's obligations to make
the payments and arrangements required to be made under this
Agreement, except to the extent provided in Paragraph 3.3(e)
herein.

Article 8.  Legal Remedies

     8.1  Payment of Legal Fees. To the extent permitted by
law and in the event the Executive prevails in any judicial
and/or arbitration proceeding, the Company shall pay all
legal fees, costs of litigation, prejudgment interest, and
other expenses incurred in good faith by the Executive as a
result of:

          (a)  The Company's refusal to provide the
Severance Benefits to which the Executive becomes entitled
under this Agreement;

          (b)  The Company's contesting the validity,
enforceability, or interpretation of this Agreement; or

          (c)  Conflict (including conflicts related to the
calculation of parachute payments) between the parties
pertaining to this Agreement.

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     8.2  Arbitration.

          (a)  Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising
out of or relating to this Agreement and/or any renewals,
extensions, changes, amendments, additions, or modifications
of or to this Agreement, or the breach, termination, or
invalidity of any of the foregoing, shall be finally
resolved by arbitration.

          (b)  The arbitration shall be conducted in
accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the
American Arbitration Association ("the Rules") to the extent
that the Rules do not conflict with any provision of this
Paragraph 8.2.

          (c)  The arbitration shall be heard and determined
by one arbitrator selected in accordance with the Rules.

          (d)  The arbitration, including the rendering of
the award, shall take place in the County of St. Louis
County, Missouri.

          (e)  Any arbitration proceeding shall be conducted
on a confidential basis.

          (f)  The arbitrator shall interpret this Agreement
and render an award, order, or judgement in accordance with
the substantive laws of the State of Missouri, and if the
arbitrator fails to do so, the arbitrator shall be deemed to
have exceeded his or her powers.

          (g)  The arbitrator shall decide only those issues
submitted to him or her in the notice and answering
statement (and counterclaim and answering statement hereto,
if any) and any award, order, or judgement, or portion
thereof, which goes beyond the scope of such issues shall be
void and shall be deemed to have been rendered in excess of
the arbitrator's powers.

          (h)  Any award, order, or judgement shall in
included in a written decision which shall contain detailed
findings of fact and conclusions of law, including, but not
limited to, all the elements involved in the calculation of
any award of damages.

          (i)  The arbitrator is not authorized to award
punitive or exemplary damages.

          (j)  All of the reasonable legal fees and expenses
incurred by the Executive and all arbitration costs will be
paid by the Company, unless prohibited by law. The Company
further agrees to pay prejudgement interest on any money
judgement obtained by the Executive calculated at the prime
interest rate reported in The Wall Street Journal in effect
from time to time from the date that payment to the
Executive should have been made under this Agreement.

          (k)  Any award, order, or judgement made pursuant
to such arbitration shall be deemed final and may be entered
and enforced in any state or federal court of competent
jurisdiction. The parties agree to submit to the
jurisdiction of any such court for purposes of the
enforcement of any such award, order, or judgment.

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Article 9.  Outplacement Assistance

     Following a Qualifying Termination, the Executive shall
be reimbursed by the Company for the costs of all
outplacement services obtained by the Executive within the
two (2) year period after the Effective Date of Termination;
provided, however, that the total reimbursement shall be
limited to an amount equal to the lesser of fifty thousand
dollars ($50,000) or fifteen percent (15%) of the
Executive's Base Salary as of the Effective Date of
Termination.

Article 10.  Successors and Assignment

     10.1  Successors to the Company. The Company will
require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by
purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) of all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
Company or of any division or subsidiary thereof to
expressly assume and agree to perform the Company's
obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to
the same extent that the Company would be required to
perform them if no such succession had taken place. The date
on which any such succession becomes effective shall be
deemed to be the date of the Change in Control.

     10.2  Assignment by the Executive. This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Executive's personal or legal representatives, executors,
administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees,
and legatees. If the Executive dies while any amount would
still be payable to him hereunder had he continued to live,
all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be
paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the
Executive's Beneficiary. If the Executive has not named a
Beneficiary, then such amounts shall be paid to the
Executive's devisee, legatee, or other designee, or if there
is no such designee, to the Executive's estate.

Article 11.  Miscellaneous

     11.1  Employment Status. Except as may be provided
under any other agreement between the Executive and the
Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is
"at will," and may be terminated by either the Executive or
the Company at any time, subject to applicable law.

     11.2  Beneficiaries. The Executive may designate one or
more persons or entities as the primary and/or contingent
Beneficiaries of any Severance Benefits owing to the
Executive under this Agreement. Such designation must be in
the form of a signed writing acceptable to the Committee.
The Executive may make or change such designations at any
time.

     11.3  Severability. In the event any provision of this
Agreement shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason,
the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining
parts of the Agreement, and the Agreement shall be construed
and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not
been included. Further, the captions of this Agreement are
not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force
and effect.

     11.4  Modification. No provision of this Agreement may
be modified, waived, or discharged unless such modification,
waiver, or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by
the Executive and by an authorized member of the Committee,
or by the respective parties' legal representatives and
successors.

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     11.5  Applicable Law. To the extent not preempted by
the laws of the United States, the laws of the state of
Delaware shall be the controlling law in all matters
relating to this Agreement.

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<PAGE><PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                             EMERALD--DELAWARE, INC.
                            INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

               THIS AGREEMENT is entered into, effective as of ______________
___, 2000, by and between Emerald--Delaware, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and _____________________ ("Indemnitee").

               WHEREAS, it is essential to the Company to retain and attract as
directors and officers the most capable persons available;

               WHEREAS, Indemnitee is a director and/or officer of the Company;

               WHEREAS, both the Company and Indemnitee recognize the increased
risk of litigation and other claims currently being asserted against directors
and officers of corporations;

               WHEREAS, the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the
Company require the Company to indemnify and advance expenses to its directors
and officers to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law, and the
Indemnitee has been serving and continues to serve as a director and/or officer
of the Company in part in reliance on the Company's Certificate of Incorporation
and Bylaws; and

               WHEREAS, in recognition of Indemnitee's need for (i) substantial
protection against personal liability based on Indemnitee's reliance on the
aforesaid Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, (ii) specific contractual
assurance that the protection promised by the Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws will be available to Indemnitee (regardless of, among other things, any
amendment to or revocation of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws or any
change in the composition of the Company's Board of Directors or acquisition
transaction relating to the Company), and (iii) an inducement to provide
effective services to the Company as a director and/or officer, the Company
wishes to provide in this Agreement for the indemnification of and the advancing
of expenses to Indemnitee to the fullest extent (whether partial or complete)
permitted under Delaware law and as set forth in this Agreement, and, to the
extent insurance is maintained, to provide for the continued coverage of
Indemnitee under the Company's directors' and officers' liability insurance
policies.

               NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises and of
Indemnitee continuing to serve the Company directly or, at its request, with
another enterprise, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree
as follows:

<PAGE>   2
               1. Certain Definitions:

                      (a) Board: the Board of Directors of the Company.

                      (b) Affiliate: any corporation or other person or entity
that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is
controlled by, or is under common control with, the person specified.

                      (c) Change in Control: shall be deemed to have occurred if
(i) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"))(other than a
trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of
the Company or a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of
the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of
the Company, and other than any person holding shares of the Company on the date
that the Company first registers under the Act or any transferee of such
individual if such transferee is a spouse or lineal descendant of the transferee
or a trust for the benefit of the individual, his spouse or lineal descendants),
is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing
30% or more of the total voting power represented by the Company's then
outstanding Voting Securities, or (ii) during any period of two consecutive
years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board and
any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the
Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of
the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of
the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so
approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board, or (iii)
the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company
with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation that would
result in the Voting Securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior
thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being
converted into Voting Securities of the surviving entity) at least 80% of the
total voting power represented by the Voting Securities of the Company or such
surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or
(iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of
the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company (in one
transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the
Company's assets.

                      (d) Expenses: any expense, liability, or loss, including
attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, amounts
paid or to be paid in settlement, any interest, assessments, or other charges
imposed thereon, any federal, state, local, or foreign taxes imposed as a result
of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, and all
other costs and obligations, paid or incurred in connection with investigating,
defending, being a witness in, participating in (including on appeal), or
preparing for any of the foregoing in, any Proceeding relating to any
Indemnifiable Event.

                      (e) Indemnifiable Event: any event or occurrence that
takes place either prior to or after the execution of this Agreement, related to
the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, or
while a director or officer is or was serving at the request

                                       2

<PAGE>   3
of the Company as a director, officer, employee, trustee, agent, or fiduciary of
another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee
benefit plan, trust, or other enterprise, or was a director, officer, employee,
or agent of a foreign or domestic corporation that was a predecessor corporation
of the Company or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor
corporation, or related to anything done or not done by Indemnitee in any such
capacity, whether or not the basis of the Proceeding is alleged action in an
official capacity as a director, officer, employee, or agent or in any other
capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the
Company, as described above.

                      (f) Independent Counsel: the person or body appointed in
connection with Section 3.

                      (g) Proceeding: any threatened, pending, or completed
action, suit, or proceeding (including an action by or in the right of the
Company), or any inquiry, hearing, or investigation, whether conducted by the
Company or any other party, that Indemnitee in good faith believes might lead to
the institution of any such action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative, investigative, or other.

                      (h) Reviewing Party: the person or body appointed in
accordance with Section 3.

                      (i) Voting Securities: any securities of the Company that
vote generally in the election of directors.

               2. Agreement to Indemnify.

                      (a) General Agreement. In the event Indemnitee was, is, or
becomes a party to or witness or other participant in, or is threatened to be
made a party to or witness or other participant in, a Proceeding by reason of
(or arising in part out of) an Indemnifiable Event, the Company shall indemnify
Indemnitee from and against any and all Expenses to the fullest extent permitted
by law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or interpreted (but in
the case of any such amendment or interpretation, only to the extent that such
amendment or interpretation permits the Company to provide broader
indemnification rights than were permitted prior thereto). The parties hereto
intend that this Agreement shall provide for indemnification in excess of that
expressly permitted by statute, including, without limitation, any
indemnification provided by the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, its
Bylaws, vote of its stockholders or disinterested directors, or applicable law.

                      (b) Initiation of Proceeding. Notwithstanding anything in
this Agreement to the contrary, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to
indemnification pursuant to this Agreement in connection with any Proceeding
initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or any director or officer of the
Company unless (i) the Company has joined in or the Board has consented to the
initiation of such Proceeding; (ii) the Proceeding is one to enforce
indemnification rights under Section 5; or (iii) the Proceeding is instituted
after a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control approved by a majority
of the directors on the Board who were directors immediately prior to such
Change in Control) and Independent Counsel has approved its initiation.

                                       3

<PAGE>   4
                      (c) Expense Advances. If so requested by Indemnitee, the
Company shall advance (within ten business days of such request) any and all
Expenses to Indemnitee (an "Expense Advance"); provided that (i) such an Expense
Advance shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking by or
on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay the amount thereof if it is ultimately
determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company, and
(ii) if and to the extent that the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee
would not be permitted to be so indemnified under applicable law, the Company
shall be entitled to be reimbursed by Indemnitee (who hereby agrees to reimburse
the Company) for all such amounts theretofore paid. If Indemnitee has commenced
or commences legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to secure a
determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable law, as
provided in Section 4, any determination made by the Reviewing Party that
Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law shall
not be binding, and Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company
for any Expense Advance until a final judicial determination is made with
respect thereto (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted
or have lapsed). Indemnitee's obligation to reimburse the Company for Expense
Advances shall be unsecured and no interest shall be charged thereon.

                      (d) Mandatory Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful
on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Proceeding relating in whole or in
part to an Indemnifiable Event or in defense of any issue or matter therein,
Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses incurred in connection
therewith.

                      (e) Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled
under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some
or a portion of Expenses, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the
Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which
Indemnitee is entitled.

                      (f) Prohibited Indemnification. No indemnification
pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid by the Company on account of any
Proceeding in which judgment is rendered against Indemnitee for an accounting of
profits made from the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities of the
Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, or similar provisions of any federal, state, or local
laws.

               3. Reviewing Party. Prior to any Change in Control, the Reviewing
Party shall be any appropriate person or body consisting of a member or members
of the Board or any other person or body appointed by the Board who is not a
party to the particular Proceeding with respect to which Indemnitee is seeking
indemnification; after a Change in Control, the Independent Counsel referred to
below shall become the Reviewing Party. With respect to all matters arising
after a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control approved by a majority
of the directors on the Board who were directors immediately prior to such
Change in Control) concerning the rights of Indemnitee to indemnity payments and
Expense Advances under this Agreement or any other agreement or under applicable
law or the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws now or hereafter in
effect relating to indemnification for Indemnifiable

                                       4

<PAGE>   5
Events, the Company shall seek legal advice only from Independent Counsel
selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld), and who has not otherwise performed services for the
Company or the Indemnitee (other than in connection with indemnification
matters) within the last five years. The Independent Counsel shall not include
any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then
prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company
or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee's rights under this
Agreement. Such counsel, among other things, shall render its written opinion to
the Company and Indemnitee as to whether and to what extent the Indemnitee
should be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law. The Company agrees
to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel and to indemnify fully
such counsel against any and all expenses (including attorneys' fees), claims,
liabilities, loss, and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or
the engagement of Independent Counsel pursuant hereto.

               4. Indemnification Process and Appeal.

                      (a) Indemnification Payment. Indemnitee shall be entitled
to indemnification of Expenses, and shall receive payment thereof, from the
Company in accordance with this Agreement as soon as practicable after
Indemnitee has made written demand on the Company for indemnification, unless
the Reviewing Party has given a written opinion to the Company that Indemnitee
is not entitled to indemnification under applicable law.

                      (b) Suit to Enforce Rights. Regardless of any action by
the Reviewing Party, if Indemnitee has not received full indemnification within
thirty days after making a demand in accordance with Section 4(a), Indemnitee
shall have the right to enforce its indemnification rights under this Agreement
by commencing litigation in any court in the State of California or the State of
Delaware having subject matter jurisdiction thereof seeking an initial
determination by the court or challenging any determination by the Reviewing
Party or any aspect thereof. The Company hereby consents to service of process
and to appear in any such proceeding. Any determination by the Reviewing Party
not challenged by the Indemnitee shall be binding on the Company and Indemnitee.
The remedy provided for in this Section 4 shall be in addition to any other
remedies available to Indemnitee at law or in equity.

                      (c) Defense to Indemnification, Burden of Proof, and
Presumptions. It shall be a defense to any action brought by Indemnitee against
the Company to enforce this Agreement (other than an action brought to enforce a
claim for Expenses incurred in defending a Proceeding in advance of its final
disposition where the required undertaking has been tendered to the Company)
that it is not permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify
Indemnitee for the amount claimed. In connection with any such action or any
determination by the Reviewing Party or otherwise as to whether Indemnitee is
entitled to be indemnified hereunder, the burden of proving such a defense or
determination shall be on the Company. Neither the failure of the Reviewing
Party or the Company (including its Board, independent legal counsel, or its
stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such
action by Indemnitee that indemnification of the claimant is proper under the
circumstances because Indemnitee has met the standard of conduct set forth in
applicable law, nor an actual

                                       5

<PAGE>   6
determination by the Reviewing Party or Company (including its Board,
independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the Indemnitee had not met
such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create
a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of
conduct. For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any claim, action,
suit, or proceeding, by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without
court approval), conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its
equivalent, shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any
particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has
determined that indemnification is not permitted by applicable law.

               5. Indemnification for Expenses Incurred in Enforcing Rights. The
Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against any and all Expenses that are
incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee for

        (i)             indemnification or advance payment of Expenses by the
                Company under this Agreement or any other agreement or under
                applicable law or the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or
                Bylaws now or hereafter in effect relating to indemnification
                for Indemnifiable Events, and/or

        (ii)            recovery under directors' and officers' liability
                insurance policies maintained by the Company, but only in the
                event that Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to
                such indemnification or insurance recovery, as the case may be.
                In addition, the Company shall, if so requested by Indemnitee,
                advance the foregoing Expenses to Indemnitee, subject to and in
                accordance with Section 2(c).

               6. Notification and Defense of Proceeding.

                      (a) Notice. Promptly after receipt by Indemnitee of notice
of the commencement of any Proceeding, Indemnitee shall, if a claim in respect
thereof is to be made against the Company under this Agreement, notify the
Company of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the Company
will not relieve the Company from any liability that it may have to Indemnitee,
except as provided in Section 6(c).

                      (b) Defense. With respect to any Proceeding as to which
Indemnitee notifies the Company of the commencement thereof, the Company will be
entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense and except as
otherwise provided below, to the extent the Company so wishes, it may assume the
defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee. After notice
from the Company to Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of any
Proceeding, the Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement
or otherwise for any Expenses subsequently incurred by Indemnitee in connection
with the defense of such Proceeding other than reasonable costs of investigation
or as otherwise provided below. Indemnitee shall have the right to employ legal
counsel in such Proceeding, but all Expenses related thereto incurred after
notice from the Company of its assumption of the defense shall be at
Indemnitee's expense unless: (i) the employment of legal counsel by Indemnitee
has been authorized by the Company, (ii) Indemnitee has reasonably determined
that there may be a

                                       6

<PAGE>   7
conflict of interest between Indemnitee and the Company in the defense of the
Proceeding, (iii) after a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control
approved by a majority of the directors on the Board who were directors
immediately prior to such Change in Control), the employment of counsel by
Indemnitee has been approved by the Independent Counsel, or (iv) the Company
shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of such
Proceeding, in each of which cases all Expenses of the Proceeding shall be borne
by the Company. The Company shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any
Proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Company or as to which Indemnitee
shall have made the determination provided for in (ii), (iii) and (iv) above.

                      (c) Settlement of Claims. The Company shall not be liable
to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise for any amounts paid
in settlement of any Proceeding effected without the Company's written consent,
such consent not to be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that if a
Change in Control has occurred (other than a Change in Control approved by a
majority of the directors on the Board who were directors immediately prior to
such Change in Control), the Company shall be liable for indemnification of
Indemnitee for amounts paid in settlement if the Independent Counsel has
approved the settlement. The Company shall not settle any Proceeding in any
manner that would impose any penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without
Indemnitee's written consent. The Company shall not be liable to indemnify the
Indemnitee under this Agreement with regard to any judicial award if the Company
was not given a reasonable and timely opportunity, at its expense, to
participate in the defense of such action; the Company's liability hereunder
shall not be excused if participation in the Proceeding by the Company was
barred by this Agreement.

               7. Establishment of Trust. In the event of a Change in Control
(other than a Change in Control approved by a majority of the directors on the
Board who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control) the
Company shall, upon written request by Indemnitee, create a Trust for the
benefit of the Indemnitee and from time to time upon written request of
Indemnitee shall fund the Trust in an amount sufficient to satisfy any and all
Expenses reasonably anticipated at the time of each such request to be incurred
in connection with investigating, preparing for, participating in, and/or
defending any Proceeding relating to an Indemnifiable Event. The amount or
amounts to be deposited in the Trust pursuant to the foregoing funding
obligation shall be determined by the Independent Counsel. The terms of the
Trust shall provide that (i) the Trust shall not be revoked or the principal
thereof invaded without the written consent of the Indemnitee, (ii) the Trustee
shall advance, within ten business days of a request by the Indemnitee, any and
all Expenses to the Indemnitee (and the Indemnitee hereby agrees to reimburse
the Trust under the same circumstances for which the Indemnitee would be
required to reimburse the Company under Section 2(c) of this Agreement), (iii)
the Trust shall continue to be funded by the Company in accordance with the
funding obligation set forth above, (iv) the Trustee shall promptly pay to the
Indemnitee all amounts for which the Indemnitee shall be entitled to
indemnification pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, and (v) all unexpended
funds in the Trust shall revert to the Company upon a final determination by the
Independent Counsel or a court of competent jurisdiction, as the case may be,
that the Indemnitee has been fully indemnified under the terms of this
Agreement. The Trustee shall be chosen by the Indemnitee. Nothing in this
Section 7 shall relieve the Company of any of its obligations under

                                       7

<PAGE>   8
this Agreement. All income earned on the assets held in the Trust shall be
reported as income by the Company for federal, state, local, and foreign tax
purposes. The Company shall pay all costs of establishing and maintaining the
Trust and shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all expenses (including
attorneys' fees), claims, liabilities, loss, and damages arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or the establishment and maintenance of the Trust.

               8. Non-Exclusivity. The rights of Indemnitee hereunder shall be
in addition to any other rights Indemnitee may have under the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, applicable law, or otherwise; provided,
however, that this Agreement shall supersede any prior indemnification agreement
between the Company and the Indemnitee. To the extent that a change in
applicable law (whether by statute or judicial decision) permits greater
indemnification than would be afforded currently under the Company's Certificate
of Incorporation, Bylaws, applicable law, or this Agreement, it is the intent of
the parties that Indemnitee enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so
afforded by such change.

               9. Liability Insurance. To the extent the Company maintains an
insurance policy or policies providing general and/or directors' and officers'
liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies, in
accordance with its or their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage
available for any Company director or officer.

               10. Period of Limitations. No legal action shall be brought and
no cause of action shall be asserted by or on behalf of the Company or any
Affiliate of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee's spouse, heirs,
executors, or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two
years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, or such longer period as
may be required by state law under the circumstances. Any claim or cause of
action of the Company or its Affiliate shall be extinguished and deemed released
unless asserted by the timely filing and notice of a legal action within such
period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is
otherwise applicable to any such cause of action, the shorter period shall
govern.

               11. Amendment of this Agreement. No supplement, modification, or
amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both
of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be binding unless in the form of a writing signed by the party against
whom enforcement of the waiver is sought, and no such waiver shall operate as a
waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such
waiver constitute a continuing waiver. Except as specifically provided herein,
no failure to exercise or any delay in exercising any right or remedy hereunder
shall constitute a waiver thereof.

               12. Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement,
the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the
rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and
shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the
execution of such documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring
suit to enforce such rights.

                                       8

<PAGE>   9
               13. No Duplication of Payments. The Company shall not be liable
under this Agreement to make any payment in connection with any claim made
against Indemnitee to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise received payment
(under any insurance policy, Bylaw, or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise
indemnifiable hereunder.

               14. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their
respective successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase,
merger, consolidation, or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business
and/or assets of the Company), assigns, spouses, heirs, and personal and legal
representatives. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether
direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all,
substantially all, or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the
Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee,
expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and
to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such
succession had taken place. The indemnification provided under this Agreement
shall continue as to Indemnitee for any action taken or not taken while serving
in an indemnified capacity pertaining to an Indemnifiable Event even though he
may have ceased to serve in such capacity at the time of any Proceeding.

               15. Severability. If any provision (or portion thereof) of this
Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
void, or otherwise unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain
enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. Furthermore, to the fullest
extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without
limitation, each portion of this Agreement containing any provision held to be
invalid, void, or otherwise unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, void, or
unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested
by the provision held invalid, void, or unenforceable.

               16. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware
applicable to contracts made and to be performed in such State without giving
effect to its principles of conflicts of laws.

                                        9

<PAGE>   10
               17. Notices. All notices, demands, and other communications
required or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing and shall be deemed to
have been duly given if delivered by hand, against receipt, or mailed, postage
prepaid, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and addressed
to the Company at:

                       Emerald--Delaware, Inc.
                       500 - 108th Avenue
                       Suite 1800
                       Bellevue, Washington 98004
                       Attention:  Dave Stewart

                       and to Indemnitee at:

                       --------------------------

                       --------------------------

                       --------------------------

Notice of change of address shall be effective only when given in accordance
with this Section. All notices complying with this Section shall be deemed to
have been received on the date of hand delivery or on the third business day
after mailing.

               18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                                       10

<PAGE>   11
               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and
delivered this Agreement as of the day specified above.

                                  EMERALD--DELAWARE, INC.

                                  By:
                                     -------------------------------
                                         Martin Wright
                                         President and Chief Executive Officer

                                  INDEMNITEE

                                  By:
                                      -------------------------------

                                       11

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