Anna the Adventuress

He looked at her with a certain curiosity. She was a very elegant

young woman, slightly taller perhaps than her sister, and with an air

of reserved strength underneath her quiet face and manner which

Annabel may have lacked. It was hard to associate her with the stories

which he and all Paris had heard of "Alcide."

"You, then," he said, "are 'Alcide.' That wonderful poster--is of

you."

She lifted her eyebrows.

"I am sorry," she said, "if you find the likeness unsatisfactory. My

friends consider it wonderfully faithful. Have you any more questions

to ask me?"

Sir John, on his way down, had determined to hint to this young woman

that, providing certain contingencies which he had in his mind should

come to pass, he would be prepared to make her a handsome offer to

change her name. He found, however, that now the time had come he

utterly lacked the courage to attempt any such speech.

"None, I thank you," he answered. "I will not intrude upon you

further."

"Wait," she said.

He turned back at once.

"I have answered all your questions," she said. "Perhaps you will not

object to answering one for me. You have thought it worth while to

take some considerable pains to resolve for yourself my sister's

identity. May I ask the nature of your interest in her?"

He hesitated.

"It is not an easy matter," he said, "for me to offer you an

altogether adequate explanation. I have only seen your sister for a

very brief time, and I am a little past the age when a man does

headstrong things. At the same time, I must say that I am most anxious

to improve my acquaintance with her. I am a single man, and----"

"Thank you," she interrupted. "I will not ask you to explain further.

Good night."

He left at once, immensely relieved, yet scarcely satisfied with

himself as regarded his share of the interview with this young woman.

They heard his footsteps descending the stone staircase, growing

fainter and fainter. Then Courtlaw looked across at her with a white

puzzled face.

"Why did you lie to that man?" he asked fiercely. "How dared you do

yourself this injustice?"

"I did it for her sake," she answered. "It may be her salvation. I

believe that he will marry her."

"You would let him--knowing--all that you know?"

"Why not? She is my flesh and blood. She is more dear to me than

anything else. Perhaps if I had watched over her more closely, things

would have been different."

"You! Why, you have been an angel to her," he exclaimed impatiently.

"You know very well that she is selfish and pleasure-loving to the

backbone. You have made enough sacrifices for her surely without this.

Besides, you cannot tell where it will end. You have taken upon your

shoulders the burden of her misdeeds. You may have to carry them

further and longer than you think. Oh, it is unbearable."