Anna the Adventuress

"Hill's confession will finally refute a number of absurd stories

which have been in circulation during the last few days. We

understand that, notwithstanding the serious nature of the man's

injuries, there is every possibility of his recovery."

Annabel pulled down her veil to hide the tears. Sir John filled his

glass with trembling hand.

"Thank God," he exclaimed. "The fellow is not such a blackguard, after

all."

Annabel's hand stole into his.

"And I have dragged you all over here for nothing," she murmured.

"For nothing, do you call it?" he declared. "I wouldn't have been

without this trip for worlds. It has been a real honeymoon trip,

Annabel, for I feel that it has given me a wife."

Annabel pulled up her veil.

"You are a dear," she exclaimed affectionately. "I do hope that I

shall be able to make it up to you."

Sir John's reply was incoherent. He called a waiter.

"Garcon," he said, "will you ask the gentleman at the next table if he

will do me the honour of taking a glass of wine with me."

The stranger came over to them smiling. He had been on the point of

leaving the restaurant. He accepted the glass of wine, and bowed.

"I drink your very good health, Sir John and Lady Ferringhall," he

said, "and I wish you a pleasant journey back to England. If I might

take the liberty, Sir John," he added, with a humorous gleam in his

eyes, "I should like to congratulate you upon your tie."

"Oh, damn the thing!" Sir John exclaimed, tucking the loose ends

inside his coat.

* * * * * "I propose," Sir John said, "that we pay for our dinner--which we

haven't had--tip the garcon a sovereign, and take a cab to the Ritz."

Annabel shook her head.

"Look at our clothes," she exclaimed, "and besides, the funny little

proprietor has gone down himself to help it along. He would be so

disappointed. I am sure it will be good, John, and I could eat

anything. No, let us dine here, and then go and have our coffee on the

boulevards. We can take our things up with us and stay at the

Continental or the Ritz."

"Excellent," Sir John declared. "We will do Paris like the tourists,

and thank God here comes dinner."

Everything was good. The garcon was tipped as he had never been tipped

before in his life. They drove up into Paris in an open _fiacre_ with

a soft cool wind blowing in their faces, hand in hand beneath the

rug. They went first to a hotel, and then out again on to the

boulevards. The natural gaiety of the place seemed to have affected

them both. They laughed and talked and stared about them. She took his

hand in hers.