United States or Afghanistan ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
From the further end of the apartment came the low music of a violin. Servants were passing backwards and forwards with tea and chocolate. For a moment he did not recognize Annabel. Then she came a few steps to meet him. "Mr. Courtlaw, is it not," she remarked, with lifted eyebrows. "Really it is very kind of you to have found me out."
With a murmured word of excuse she glided away, and Courtlaw, who had come with a mission which seemed to him to be one of life or death, was left to listen to the latest art jargon from Chelsea. He bore it as long as he could, watching all the time with fascinated eyes Annabel moving gracefully about amongst her guests, always gay, with a smile and a whisper for nearly everybody.
The man nodded. "I remember you now," he said. "So it seems that I was wrong. Annabel was in hiding all the time." "Annabel Pellissier is married," Courtlaw said quietly. "She's my wife," the man muttered. "It is possible," Courtlaw said, "that you too were deceived. Where were you married?" "At the English Embassy in Paris. You will find the certificate in my pocket."
He struck out from the shoulder, and the man measured his length upon the pavement. Anna sprang lightly away across the street. Brendon and Courtlaw who had been watching for her, met her at the door. She pointed across the road. "Please go and see that nothing happens," she pleaded. "It is the first moment we have let him out of our sight," Brendon exclaimed, as he hastened across the street.
In no way could he be said to contribute to the gaiety of the little party. But when they were on their way out he whispered in Anna's ear. "Please let me drive you home. I want to talk to you, and I must return to-morrow." Anna hesitated. "We are Mr. Brendon's guests," she said, "and I scarcely think it would be nice of me to leave him alone with Sydney." Courtlaw turned abruptly to Brendon.
I would have married her long ago, but she will not have me." "Bring her here," Hill muttered. The door opened, and the doctor entered softly. Hill closed his eyes. Courtlaw stood up. "He has asked to see some one," he whispered to the doctor. "Is there any urgency?" The doctor bent over his patient, who seemed to have fallen asleep. Presently he turned to Courtlaw.
"You are not yourself to-night, Courtlaw," Ennison said. "Come to my rooms and have a drink." Courtlaw refused brusquely, almost rudely. "I am off to-night," he said. "I am going to America. I have work there. I ought to have gone long ago. Will you answer me a question first?" "If I can," Ennison said. "What were you doing outside Miss Pellissier's flat to-night? You were looking at her windows.
Courtlaw," she remarked. "He is one of our guests perhaps I should say boarders here, but he seldom returns before dinner-time. We dine at seven-thirty. Can I give him any message for you?" "Thank you," Anna answered. "I have a letter for him from his brother, which I was just leaving." "I will see that he gets it immediately on his return," the lady promised.
Why? What is she to you?" "I was there by accident," Ennison answered. "Miss Pellissier is nothing to me except a young lady for whom I have the most profound and respectful admiration." Courtlaw laid his hand upon Ennison's shoulder. They were at the corner of Pall Mall now, and had come to a standstill. "Take my advice," he said hoarsely. "Call it warning, if you like.
"It is possible, mademoiselle," he said, "that this affair is not yet ended. It may bring us together again." She passed out without reply. Yet she took with her an uneasy consciousness that in this affair might lie the germs of future trouble. As she crossed the square, almost within a stone's throw of her lodgings, she came face to face with Courtlaw.
Word Of The Day