t us less than half as much if we had had the right men to
direct the commercial side of it. That money would have been useful in
the country just now."

"An absolute monarchy," Hester said, smiling, "would be really the most
logical form of Government, then? But would it answer?"

"Why not?" Borrowdean asked. "If the monarch were incapable he would of
course be shot!"

"A dictator--" Berenice began, but Mannering held out his hands,
laughing.

"Think of my last few days, and spare me!" he begged. "I have thirty-six
hours' holiday. How do you people spend your time here?"

Berenice took him away with her as a matter of course. Blanche watched
them depart with a curious tightening of the lips. She was standing alone
in the gateway of the hotel, and she watched them until they were out of
sight. Borrowdean, sauntering out to buy some papers, paused for a moment
as he passed.

"Your husband, Mrs. Mannering," he said, drily, "is a very fortunate
man."

She made no reply, and Borrowdean passed on. Hester came out with a
message from Lady Redford--would Mrs. Mannering care to motor over to
Berneval for luncheon? Blanche shook her head. She scarcely heard the
invitation. She was still watching the two figures disappearing in the
distance. Hester understood, but she spoke lightly.

"I believe," she said, "that the Duchess still has hopes of Mr.
Mannering."

"She is a persistent woman," Blanche answered. "They say that she
generally succeeds. Let us go in."

* * * * *

Berenice was listening to Mannering's account of his last few days'
electioneering.

"The whole affair came upon me like a thunderclap," he told her. "Richard
Fardell found it out somehow, and he took me to see Parkins. But it was
too late. Polden had hold of the story and meant to use it. I never
imagined but that Parkins had been talking and this journalist had got
hold of him by accident. Now I understand that it was Borrowdean who was
pulling the strings."

She nodded.

"He traced Parkins out some time ago, and knew exactly where he was to be
found."

"I think," Mannering said, "that it is time Borrowdean and I came to some
understanding. I haven't said anything about it yet. I don't exactly know
what to say now. You are a very generous woman."

She sighed.

"No," she said, "I don't think that. Sir Leslie is a schemer of the class
I detest. I listened to him once, and I have regretted it ever since. Yet
y