Part 31 (1/2)

”You do not understand me at all,” she declared ”I think that you are very dense Besides, your remark is not in the least compliue a woman with a sense of humour”

So they talked on whilst supper was served, falling easily into the spirit of the place, and yet both of theaiety of their tongues andas radiantly beautiful Without a single ornaowns, out of which her shoulders shone glea white, she was easily thewoht there seemed to be a new brilliancy in her eyes, a deeper quality in her tone She was herself conscious of a recklessness of spirits alht

Perhaps she had found this new thing in life, the thing wonderful The terrors and anxieties of the last few months seely dream, dismissed with a shudder even fro was in her veins, even the taste of her wine seeical Ennison too, always handsome and _debonnair_, seeue was s with a grace which made them irresistible, his eyes flashed back upon her soe in her manner towards him

And then there ca

It was he who saw the down the rooown in front, and Sir John stiff, unbending, disapproving, bringing up the rear He bent over to Anna at once

”It is your sister and her husband,” he said ”They are co past our table”

Annabel saw Ennison first, and noticing his single co to rearrange her flowing train, she glanced at Anna, and half stopped in her progress down the rooaze, and also saw theer

It was after all a momentary affair Annabel passed on with a strained nod to her sister, and Sir John's boas a h the doorway Anna and her escort exchanged glances Al

”How do you feel?” she asked

”Limp,” he answered ”As a ed to dine with your sister and her husband, and I sent a wire”

”It was exceedingly wrong of you,” Anna declared ”Before I cas which an Englishman as _coele woe of our ways,” he murmured ”is profound Yet, I suppose that at the present moment I am the most envied man in the roohtly on such a subject a few hours ago would have seemed incredible

”But you do not know,” she whispered, ”whether I aue Hill”

The lights were lowered, and an attentive waiter hovered round Anna's cloak They left the roost the last, and Ennison had alroup of acquaintances who had all so him, to which he absolutely refused to listen

They entered a hansoreat hotels on their right were still ablaze with lights On their left the river, with its glooe revolving advertisee reflection upon the black water A fresh cool breeze blew in their faces Anna leaned back with half closed eyes

”Delicious!” she ers closed upon her hand She yielded it without protest, as though unconsciously Not a word passed between them It seemed to him that speech would be an anticlimax

He paid the cab, and turned to follow her She passed inside and upstairs without a word In her little sitting-rooht and looked around half fearfully

”Please search everywhere,” she said ”I ao till I am quite sure”

”If he has a key,” Ennison said, ”how are you to be safe?”

”I had bolts fitted on the doors yesterday,” she answered ”If he is not here now I can make myself safe”

It was certain that he was not there Anna cah of relief

”Indeed,” she said, ”it was very fortunate that I should have met you this afternoon Either Sydney or Mr Brendon always coood, but she is too nervous to be the slightest protection”

”I ahtful evening for me”