Part 19 (1/2)
”You have not answeredto,” she answered, snore it
It was really very nice of you, but to-h at it as I do now”
”Is it necessary,” he said, ”for me to tell you----”
”Stop, please,” she said firmly
Brendon was silent
”Do not force me to take you seriously,” she continued ”I like to think of your offer It was iet it”
”I understand,” he said, doggedly
”And you h I were an executioner,”
she declared lightly ”I will tell you so if you like One of the reasons why I left Paris and came to London was because there was a man there anted me to marry him I really cared for him a little, but I am absolutely determined not to et only a second-hand flavour of life One can learn and understand only by personal experience, by actual contact with the realities of life I did not want anything made smooth and easy for me That is why I would not marry this man whom I did and whom I do care for a little Later on--well then the time otten”
”I do not knoho 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 haveI have yet another Let me lend you so in the world, and I do not see how your sex intervenes Let ether for such employment--as would be more suitable for you I know London better than you, and I have had to earnYou cannot refuse lance with a dazzling sratitude
”Indeed,” she said, ”I would not But it is no longer necessary I cannot tell you much about it, but my bad tiive ry--tragically hungry”
He called for a hansom
”After all,” he said, ”I am not sure that you are not a very material person”
”I ao to that little place at the back of the Palace I'h for the West End”
”Wherever you like!” he answered, a little absently
They alighted at the restaurant, and stood for ainto 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 ju hansom