Anna the Adventuress

"So Brendon and I," he said, "have been troubled with the same fears.

I too, Anna, have watched and read of your success with--I must

confess it--some misgiving."

"Please tell me why?" she asked.

"Do you need me to tell you? You have tasted the luxury of power. You

have made your public, you are already a personage. And I want you for

myself--for my wife."

She took his hand and smiled upon him.

"Don't you understand, Nigel," she said softly, "that it was precisely

for this I have worked so hard. It is just the aim I have had in view

all the time. I wanted to have something to give up. I did not

care--no woman really cares--to play the beggar maid to your King

Cophetua."

"Then you will really give it all up!" he exclaimed.

She laughed.

"When we go indoors I will show you the offers I have refused," she

answered. "They have all been trying to turn my head. I think that

nearly every manager in London has made me an offer. My reply to all

of them has been the same. My engagement at the 'Garrick' terminates

Saturday week, and then I am free."

"You will make me horribly conceited," he answered. "I think that I

shall be the most unpopular man in London. You are not playing

to-night, are you?"

"Not to-night," she answered. "I am giving my understudy a chance. I

am going up to dine with my sister."

"Annabel is a prophetess," he declared. "I too am asked."

"It is a conspiracy," she exclaimed. "Come, we must go home and have

some luncheon. My little maidservant will think that I am lost."

They clambered down the hill together. The air was sweet with the

perfume of flowers, and the melody of murmuring insects, the blue sky

was cloudless, the heat of the sun was tempered by the heather-scented

west wind. Ennison paused by the little gate.

"I think," he said, "that you have found the real home of the

lotus-eaters. Here one might live the life of golden days."

She shook her head gently.

"Neither you nor I, Nigel, are made of such stuff," she answered.

"These are the playgrounds of life. The great heart of the world beats

only where men and women are gathered together. You have your work

before you, and I----"

He kissed her on the lips.