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Anna the Adventuress

Page 40

They both turned round at Anna's exclamation. A familiar figure was

making his way towards them. Sydney sprang up.

"Why, it's David!" he exclaimed. "Hullo!"

Courtlaw, haggard, his deep-set eyes more brilliant than ever, took

Anna's hand into his, and breathed a little close drawn sigh of

content. He was introduced to Brendon, and a chair was brought by an

attentive waiter. He declined supper, but took wine.

"Have you dropped from the skies?" Sydney asked wonderingly. "It was

only yesterday I had your letter, and you never mentioned coming

over."

"I had some unexpected business," Courtlaw answered shortly.

"And how did you find us here?"

"I called at Montague Street a few minutes after you had left. Mrs.

White told me where to find you."

He leaned back in his chair as though wearied. Yet either the rest or

the wine seemed already to have done him good. The lines about his

mouth gradually softened. He talked very little and rather absently.

In no way could he be said to contribute to the gaiety of the little

party. But when they were on their way out he whispered in Anna's ear.

"Please let me drive you home. I want to talk to you, and I must

return to-morrow."

Anna hesitated.

"We are Mr. Brendon's guests," she said, "and I scarcely think it

would be nice of me to leave him alone with Sydney."

Courtlaw turned abruptly to Brendon.

"Mr. Brendon," he said, "may I rob you of your guest just for the

drive home? I have only a few hours in England, and Miss Pellissier is

an old friend."

"By all means," Brendon answered. "We will follow you in another cab."

They passed out on to the pavement, and the commissionaire called a

hansom. The man looked closely at Anna as she crossed the footway, and

as he held her skirt from the wheel he pressed something into her

hand. Her fingers closed upon it instinctively. It was a letter. She

slipped it calmly into her pocket. The commissionaire smiled. It was a

sovereign easily earned.

The hansom drove off. Suddenly Anna felt her hand seized and

imprisoned in Courtlaw's burning fingers. She glanced into his face.

It was enough.

"I have stood it for a month, Anna," he exclaimed. "You will not even

answer my letters. I could not keep away any longer."

"Do you think that it was wise of you, or kind to come?" she asked

quietly.

"Wise! Kind! What mockery words are! I came because I had to. I cannot

live without you, Anna. Come back--you must come back. We can be

married to-morrow in Paris. There! You are trying to take your hand

away."

"You disappoint me," she said wearily. "You are talking like a boy.

What is the use of it? I do not wish to marry you. I do not wish to

return to Paris. You are doing your best to break our friendship."

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