ke the butler reappeared; at sight of whom Mrs. Brook
immediately guessed. "Mr. Longdon?"

"In Mr. Brookenham's room, ma'am. Mr. Brookenham has gone out."

"And where has he gone?"

"I think, ma'am, only for some evening papers."

She had an intense look for Mitchy; then she said to the man: "Ask him
to wait three minutes--I'll ring;" turning again to her visitor as soon
as they were alone. "You don't know how I'm trusting you!"

"Trusting me?"

"Why, if he comes up to you."

Mitchy thought. "Hadn't I better go down?"

"No--you may have Edward back. If you see him you must see him here. If
I don't myself it's for a reason."

Mitchy again just sounded her. "His not, as you a while ago hinted--?"

"Yes, caring for what I say." She had a pause, but she brought it out.
"He doesn't believe a word--!"

"Of what you tell him?" Mitchy was splendid. "I see. And you want
something said to him."

"Yes, that he'll take from YOU. Only it's for you," Mrs. Brook went on,
"really and honestly, and as I trust you, to give it. But the comfort of
you is that you'll do so if you promise."

Mitchy was infinitely struck. "But I haven't promised, eh? Of course I
can't till I know what it is."

"It's to put before him--!"

"Oh I see: the situation."

"What has happened here to-day. Van's marked retreat and how, with the
time that has passed, it makes us at last know where we are. You of
course for yourself," Mrs. Brook wound up, "see that."

"Where we are?" Mitchy took a turn and came back. "But what then did Van
come for? If you speak of a retreat there must have been an advance."

"Oh," said Mrs. Brook, "he simply wanted not to look too brutal. After
so much absence he COULD come."

"Well, if he established that he isn't brutal, where was the retreat?"

"In his not going up to Nanda. He came--frankly--to do that, but made
up his mind on second thoughts that he couldn't risk even being civil to
her."

Mitchy had visibly warmed to his work. "Well, and what made the
difference?"

She wondered. "What difference?"

"Why, of the effect, as you say, of his second thoughts. Thoughts of
what?"

"Oh," said Mrs. Brook suddenly and as if it were quite simple--"I know
THAT! Suspicions."

"And of whom?"

"Why, of YOU, you goose. Of your not having done--"

"Well, what?" he persisted as she paused.

"How shall I say it? The best thing for yourself. And of Nanda's feeling
that. Don't you see?"

In the effort of seeing