"I do not know who he is," Brendon said quietly, "but he will not

forget."

Anna shrugged her shoulders lightly.

"Who can tell?" she said. "Your sex is a terrible fraud. It is

generally deficient in the qualities it prides itself upon most. Men

do not understand constancy as women do."

Brendon was not inclined to be led away from the point.

"We will take it then," he said, "that you have refused or ignored

one request I have made you this morning. I have yet another. Let me

lend you some money. Between comrades it is the most usual thing in

the world, and I do not see how your sex intervenes. Let me keep you

from that man's clutches. Then we can look out together for such

employment--as would be more suitable for you. I know London better

than you, and I have had to earn my own living. You cannot refuse me

this."

He looked at her anxiously, and she met his glance with a dazzling

smile of gratitude.

"Indeed," she said, "I would not. But it is no longer necessary. I

cannot tell you much about it, but my bad times are over for the

present. I will tell you what you shall give me, if you like."

"Well?"

"Lunch! I am hungry--tragically hungry."

He called for a hansom.

"After all," he said, "I am not sure that you are not a very material

person."

"I am convinced of it," she answered. "Let us go to that little place

at the back of the Palace. I'm not half smart enough for the West

End."

"Wherever you like!" he answered, a little absently.

They alighted at the restaurant, and stood for a moment in the passage

looking into the crowded room. Suddenly a half stifled exclamation

broke from Anna's lips. Brendon felt his arm seized. In a moment they

were in the street outside. Anna jumped into a waiting hansom.

"Tell him to drive--anywhere," she exclaimed.

Brendon told him the name of a distant restaurant and sprang in by her

side. She was looking anxiously at the entrance to the restaurant. The

commissionaire stood there, tall and imperturbable. There was no one

else in the doorway. She leaned back in the corner of the cab with a

little sigh of relief. A smile flickered upon her lips as she glanced

towards Brendon, who was very serious indeed. Her sense of humour

could not wholly resist his abnormal gravity.

"I am so sorry to have startled you," she said, "but I was startled

myself. I saw someone in there whom I have always hoped that I should

never meet again. I hope--I am sure that he did not see me."

"He certainly did not follow you out," Brendon answered.

"His back was towards me," Anna said. "I saw his face in a mirror. I

wonder----"




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