Anna the Adventuress

"It is for your good--your good only I am thinking," he declared.

"Then let me be the judge of what is best," she answered.

He was silent. He felt his heart beat faster and faster--his

self-restraint slipping away. After all, what did it matter?--it or

anything else in the world? She was within reach of his arms,

beautiful, compelling, herself as it seemed suddenly conscious of the

light which was burning in his eyes. A quick flush stained her cheeks.

She put out her hands to avoid his embrace.

"No!" she exclaimed. "You must not. It is impossible."

His arms were around her. He only laughed his defiance.

"I will make it possible," he cried. "I will make all things

possible."

Anna was bewildered. She did not know herself. Only she was conscious

of an unfamiliar and wonderful emotion. She gave her lips to his

without resistance. All her protests seemed stifled before she could

find words to utter them. With a little sigh of happiness she accepted

this new thing.