life!"

"If you can afford to--yes," she answered. "But I want one of two things.
The first seems to scare you to death even to think of. The second is
more money--a good deal more money."

"But," he protested, "even if I did as you suggested, and went back into
politics, it would be some time, if ever, before I should be any better
off."

"I will wait until that time comes," she answered, "provided that when it
does, you share with me."

Then Mannering understood.

"Upon my word," he exclaimed, "you are an apt conspirator indeed. All
this time you have been fooling me. I even fancied--bah! How much is
Borrowdean giving you for this?"

"Nothing at all," she answered, coolly. "It is my own sincere desire
for your welfare which has prompted all that I have said to you. I am
ambitious for you, Lawrence. I should like to see you Prime Minister.
I am sure you could be if you tried. You are letting your talents rust,
and I don't approve of it!"

The faint note of mockery in her tone was clearly apparent. Mannering
found it hard to answer her calmly.

"Come," he said, "put it into plain words. What does it mean? What do you
want?"