The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Arles \Arles\, n. pl. [Cf. F. arrhes, Scot. airles. Cf. Earles penny.] An earnest; earnest money; money paid to bind a bargain. [Scot.] [1913 Webster] Arles penny, earnest money given to servants. --Kersey. [1913 Webster]WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
arles n 1: money given by a buyer to a seller to bind a contract [syn: earnest money, arles]