Part 12 (1/2)
”I'hted,” she exclaimed ”Do tell me all about it”
”He only heard this afternoon,” Sydney continued ”An uncle in New York is dead, and has left him loads of money A lawyer has come all the way from America about it We want to celebrate, and ant you to help us Brendon suggests supper at the Carlton We meant to ht of starting in half an hour's ti for a theatre sohtful!” exclaimed Anna ”I should love to come It is very sweet of you to have waited for own fit to wear”
”This,” Anna declared, as she sipped her wine and looked around her, ”reminds me more of Paris than any place I have yet seen I suppose it is the mirrors and decorations”
”And the people?” Brendon asked ”What do you think of theed her shoulders
”What can one say?” she exclai and so dowdy? They do not talk They seehbour's dresses through those hateful glasses It never seems to enter their heads to try and a men on their way down the room came suddenly to a standstill before Anna The foreroonition
”Miss Pellissier, isn't it?” he said ”Glad to see you in London No idea that you were here, though”
Anna looked up with a doubtful snition
”My name is certainly Pellissier,” she said, ”but I anize you in the least”
The tall young lass and s with you at the 'Aht, before the show, you know--last September I think it was Charley Pevenill was our host My nae”
Anna had suddenly stiffened She regarded the young man coldly Her tone was icy
”I a a mistake,” she said ”I was never at any such dinner, and I am quite sure that I do not know you”
”Perhaps you reyou more than once, I believe”
A spot of colour flared in Anna's cheek as she glanced towards the speaker Soestiveness of his deferential tone, maddened her
”To the best of nity, ”I have never seen either of you before inmen hesitated Then the forely sorry,” he said ”Pray accept ies”
”Andupon his lips
They took their places at a distant table Anna sat quite still for a moment, and then the colour suddenly returned to her cheeks She laughed softly, and leaned across the table
”Do not look so unco men startled h that they did not rowled ”I never wanted to kick any one so much in my life as that second fellow”
”I think,” Anna said, ”that it was only his edy in mauve, who has just come in What can she be? The wife of a country tradesman, or a duchess? And such a meek little husband too
What can she have done to deserve such a fate? Oh!”
They both turned round at Anna's excla his way towards the up
”Why, it's David!” he exclaiard, his deep-set eyes more brilliant than ever, took Anna's hand into his, and breathed a little close drawn sigh of content He was introduced to Brendon, and a chair was brought by an attentive waiter He declined supper, but took wine