Anna the Adventuress

"I think," Lady Ferringhall said, "that you are talking very

foolishly. I was quite as much annoyed as you were to see Mr. Ennison

with my sister last night. But apart from that, you have no particular

objection to him, I suppose?"

"The occurrence of last night is quite sufficient in itself," Sir John

answered, "to make me wish to discontinue Mr. Ennison's acquaintance.

I should think, Anna, that your own sense--er--of propriety would

enable you to see this. It is not possible for us to be on friendly

terms with a young man who has been seen in a public place, having

supper alone with your sister after midnight. The fact itself is

regrettable enough--regrettable, I fear, is quite an inadequate word.

To receive him here afterwards would be most repugnant to me."

"He probably does not know of the relationship," Annabel remarked.

"I imagine," Sir John said, "that your sister would acquaint him with

it. In any case, he is liable to discover it at any time. My own

impression is that he already knows."

"Why do you think so?" she asked.

"I noticed him call her attention to us as we passed down the room,"

he answered. "Of course he may merely have been telling her who we

were, but I think it improbable."

"Apart from the fact of his acquaintance with Anna--Annabel," Lady

Ferringhall said quickly, "may I ask if you have any other objection

to Mr. Ennison?"

Sir John hesitated.

"To the young man himself," he answered, "no! I simply object to his

calling here two or three times a week during my absence."

"How absurd!" Annabel declared. "How could he call except in your

absence, as you are never at home in the afternoon. And if I cared to

have him come every day, why shouldn't he? I find him very amusing and

very useful as well. He brought his mother to call, and as you know

the Countess goes scarcely anywhere. Hers is quite the most exclusive

set in London."

"My feeling in the matter," Sir John said, "is as I have stated.

Further, I do not care for you to accept social obligations from Mr.

Ennison, or any other young man."

"You are jealous," she declared contemptuously.

"If I am," he answered, reddening, "you can scarcely assert that it is

without a cause. You will forgive my remarking, Anna, that I consider

there is a great change in your manner towards me and your general

deportment since our marriage."

Annabel laughed gaily.

"My dear man," she exclaimed, "wasn't that a foregone conclusion?"

"You treat the matter lightly," he continued. "To me it seems serious

enough. I have fulfilled my part of our marriage contract. Can you

wonder that I expect you to fulfil yours?"

"I am not aware," she answered, "that I have ever failed in doing so."