Anna the Adventuress

"I agree," Anna said coldly, "if you will make it three months."

"Better say six," Mr. Earles protested, seating himself before the

desk, and dipping his pen in the ink.

"Four," Anna decided firmly. "I shall not agree to six."

"It scarcely gives me a chance," Mr. Earles said, with a resigned

sigh, "but I shall rely upon you to stick to me so long as I do the

right thing by you. You can't do without an agent, and there's no one

can run you better than I can."

"You must also put in the agreement," Anna said, "that I do not

represent myself to be 'Alcide,' and that I am not advertised to the

public by that name."

Mr. Earles threw down his pen with a little exclamation.

"Come this way," he said.

He opened the door of still another room, in one corner of which was a

grand piano. He seated himself before it.

"Go to the far corner," he said, "and sing the last verse of _Les

Petites_."

He struck a note, and Anna responded. Playing with one hand he turned

on his stool to glance at her. Instinctively she had fallen into the

posture of the poster, her hands behind her, her head bent slightly

forward, her chin uplifted, her eyes bright with the drollery of the

song. Mr. Earles closed the piano with a little bang.

"You are a funny, a very funny young lady," he said, "but we waste

time here. You do not need my compliments. We will get on with the

agreement and you shall have in it whatever rubbish you like."

Anna laughed, and went back to her easy chair. She knew that her voice

was superior to Annabel's, and she had no further qualms. Whilst she

was wondering how to frame her request for an advance, Mr. Earles drew

out his cheque book.

"You will not object," he said, glancing towards her, "to accepting a

deposit. It is customary even where an agreement is drawn."

"I shall have no objection at all," Anna assured him.

He handed her a cheque for thirty-one pounds, ten shillings, and read

the agreement through to her. Anna took up the pen, and signed, after

a moment's hesitation, A. PELLISSIER.

"I will send you a copy," Mr. Earles said, rubbing his hands together,

"by post. Now, will you do me the honour of lunching with me, Miss

Pellissier?"

Anna hesitated.

"Perhaps," he queried, "you wish to avoid being seen about with any

one--er--connected with the profession, under present circumstances.

If so, do not hesitate to tell me. Be frank, I beg you, Miss

Pellissier. I am already too much flattered that you should have given

me your confidence."

"You are very good, Mr. Earles," Anna said. "I think, perhaps if you

will excuse me, that we will defer the luncheon."