"That is provokingly indefinite," he answered, a little ruefully.
"Won't you give me your address?"
She shook her head.
"It is such a very respectable boarding-house," she said. "I feel
quite sure that Mrs. White would not approve of callers."
"I have a clue, at any rate," he remarked, smiling. "I must try the
Directory."
"I wish you good luck," she answered. "There are a good many Whites in
London."
"May I put you in a hansom?" he asked, lifting his stick.
"For Heaven's sake, no," she answered quickly. "Do you want to ruin
me? I shall walk back."
"I may come a little way, then?" he begged.
"If you think it worth while," she answered doubtfully.
Apparently he thought it very much worth while. Restraining with an
effort his intense curiosity, he talked of general subjects only,
trying his best to entertain her. He succeeded so well that they were
almost in Montague Street before Anna stopped short.
"Heavens!" she exclaimed. "I have brought you very nearly to my door.
Go back at once, please."
He held out his hand obediently.
"I'll go," he said, "but I warn you that I shall find you out."
For a moment she was grave.
"Well," she said. "I may be leaving where I am in a few days, so very
likely you will be no better off."
He looked at her intently.
"Miss Pellissier," he said, "I don't understand this change in you.
Every word you utter puzzles me. I have an idea that you are in some
sort of trouble. Won't you let me--can't I be of any assistance?"
He was obviously in earnest. His tone was kind and sympathetic.
"You are very good," she said. "Indeed I shall not forget your offer.
But just now there is nothing which you or anybody can do. Good-bye."
He was dismissed, and he understood it. Anna crossed the street, and
letting herself in at No. 13 with a latchkey went humming lightly up
to her room. She was in excellent spirits, and it was not until she
had taken off her hat, and was considering the question of dinner or
no dinner, that she remembered that another day had passed, and she
was not a whit nearer being able to pay her to-morrow's bill.