Part 10 (1/2)
The lady in black satin looked at the pile of luggage outside and hesitated
”Were you thinking of private apart-house or an hotel?” she asked
”I really had not thought about it at all,” Anna answered s ”I expected to stay with a relation, but I found that their arrange in apartments in Paris, but I suppose the system is different here”
The lady in black satin appeared undecided She looked fro about alone, to that reassuring pile of luggage, and wrinkled her brows thoughtfully
”Of course,” she said diffidently, ”this is a boarding-house, although we never take in prouests we have are all pered to be very careful indeed But--if you are a friend of Mr Courtlaw's--I should like to oblige Mr
Courtlaw”
”It is very nice of you to think of it,” Anna said briskly ”I should really like to find sohts”
The lady stood away from the door
”Will you co-room? There is no one there just now Most of entle too, I say I was always used to it, and I think it gives quite a tone to an establishment Please sit down, Miss--dear me, I haven't asked you your name yet”
”My name is Pellissier,” Anna said, ”Anna Pellissier”
”I am Mrs White,” the lady in black satin remarked ”It , but after all I think that it is best for both parties Could you give me any references?”
”There is Mr Courtlaw,” Anna said, ”and my solicitors, Messrs Le Mercier and Stowe of St Heliers They are rather a long way off, but you could write to them I am sorry that I do not know any one in London But after all, Mrs White, I aly poor Please tell me what your terood deal upon what rooms you have Just now my best ones are all taken”
”So much the better,” Anna declared cheerfully ”The smallest will do for me quite well”
Mrs White looked h to be sure that no one was listening
”I should like you to co lady who's alone in the world, as I suppose you are at present, to have a respectable home, and I do not think in such a case that private apart people here too just at present, and you would soon make sos a week Please don't let any one know that”
”I have no idea what it costs to live in London,” Anna said, ”but I should like very ht”
”Certainly,” Mrs White said ”Two days' notice shall be sufficient on either side”
”And I e in and send that cabman away?” Anna asked
”Dear me, what a relief! If I had had any nerves that o”
”Cab,” Mrs White assented ”You need have no further trouble Theyour trunks in and pay the fare too, if you like”
Anna drew out her purse at once
”You are really a good Samaritan,” she declared ”I am perfectly certain that thatit up all the way fro the bell
”Come upstairs,” she said, ”and I will show you your roo a little You won't want to be late the first evening, and it's tenThis way,it, but a quiet blouse and a little chiffon, you knoill be quite sufficient
It's your first evening, and early impressions do count for so much