for a fact," he said. "My cousin is
Lady-in-Waiting, and she's been up in town for a few days, and she asked
me about Mannering. A Certain Personage thinks very highly of him indeed.
Told some one that Mr. Mannering was the most statesman-like politician
in the service of his country. I believe he'd sooner see Mannering Prime
Minister than any one."

"But he has no following," Borrowdean objected.

"I think," Berenice said, slowly, "that he keeps as far aloof as possible
for one reason, and one reason only. He avoids friendship, but he makes
no enemies. He cultivates a neutral position whenever he can. What he is
looking forward to, I am sure, is to found a coalition Government."

"It is very possible," Lord Redford remarked. "I wonder if he will ask me
to join."

"Always selfish," Berenice laughed. "You men are all alike!"

"On the contrary," Lord Redford answered, "my interest was purely
patriotic. I cannot imagine the affairs of the country flourishing
deprived of my valuable services. Let us go and wander through the
crowd. Members of a Government in extremes like ours ought not to whisper
together in corners. It gives rise to comment."

Anstruther came hurrying up. He drew Redford on one side.

"Mannering is here," he said, quietly. "Just arrived from Sandringham. He
is looking for you."

Almost as he spoke Mannering appeared. He did not at first see Berenice,
and from the corner where she stood she watched him closely.

It was two years since those few weeks at Bonestre, and during all that
time they had scarcely met. Berenice knew that he had avoided her. For
twelve months he had declined all social engagements, and since then he
had pleaded the stress of political affairs as an excuse for leading the
life almost of a recluse. Unseen herself, she studied him closely. He was
much thinner, and every trace of his once healthy colouring had
disappeared. His eyes seemed deeper set. There were streaks of grey in
his hair. But for all that to her he was unaltered. He was still the one
man in the world. She saw him shake hands with Lord Redford and draw him
a little on one side.

"Can you spare me five minutes?" he asked. "I have a matter to discuss
with you."

"Certainly!" Lord Redford answered. "I am leaving directly, and I might
drive you home if you liked. We heard that you were at Sandringham."

"I came up this afternoon," Mannering answered. "I heard that you were
likely to be here, and as Lady Herrin