ave felt. Borrowdean's fixed smile betokened nothing but an
ordinary interest in the introduction of two friends, and the Duchess's
back was turned towards her friends. They both waited for Mannering to
speak.

"This," he said, slowly, "is a surprise! I had no idea when I called to
see Borrowdean here, of the pleasure which was in store for me."

Borrowdean dropped his eyeglass.

"Are you serious, my dear Mannering?" he exclaimed. "Do you mean to say
that you came here--"

"Only to see you," Mannering interrupted. "That you should know perfectly
well. I am sorry to hurry you out, but the few minutes' conversation
which I desired with you is of some importance, and my train leaves in
an hour. I hope that you will pardon me," he added, looking steadily at
Berenice, "if I hurry away one of your guests."

She laughed quite in her natural manner.

"I will forgive anything," she said, "except that you should hurry away
yourself so unceremoniously. Come and sit down near me. I want to talk to
you about Blakeley."

She swept her gown on one side, disclosing a vacant place on the settee
where she had been sitting. For a second her eyes said more to him than
her courteous but half-careless words of invitation. Mannering made no
movement forward.

"I am sorry," he said, "but it is impossible for me to stay!"

She seemed to dismiss him and the whole subject with a careless little
shrug of the shoulders, which was all the farewell she vouchsafed to
either of them. A woman who had just entered seemed to absorb her whole
attention. The two men passed out.

Mannering spoke no word until they stood upon the pavement. Then he
turned almost savagely upon his companion.

"This is a trick of yours, I suppose!" he exclaimed. "Damn you and your
meddling, Borrowdean. Why can't you leave me and my affairs alone? No,
I am not going your way. Let us separate here!"

Borrowdean shook his head.

"You are unreasonable, Mannering," he said. "I have done only what I
believe you were on your way to ask me to do. I have brought you and
Berenice together again. It was for both your sakes. If there has been
any misunderstanding between you, it would be better cleared up."

Mannering gripped his arm.

"Let us go to your rooms, Borrowdean," he said. "It is time we understood
one another."

"Willingly!" Borrowdean said. "But your train?"

"Let my train go," Mannering answered. "There are some things I have to
say to you."

Borrowdean