orator, as well as the gift of eloquence. One can always listen to him
with pleasure."

"Will you pardon me," Borrowdean asked, "if I make a remark which may
sound a little impertinent? You and Mannering were great friends at
Blakely. On my first visit there you will remember that you did not
attempt to conceal that there was more than an ordinary intimacy between
you. Yet to-day I notice that there are indications on both your parts of
a desire to avoid one another as much as possible. It seems to me a pity
that you two should not be friends. Is there any small misunderstanding
which a common friend--such as I trust I may call myself--might help
to smooth away?"

Berenice regarded him thoughtfully.

"It is strange," she said, "that you should talk to me like this, you who
are certainly responsible for any estrangement there may be between Mr.
Mannering and myself. Please answer me this question. Why do you wish us
to be friends?"

Borrowdean shrugged his shoulders.

"You and he and myself, with about a dozen others," he answered, "form
the backbone of a political party. As time goes on we shall in all
probability be drawn closer and closer together. It seems to me best that
our alliance should be as real a thing as possible."

Berenice smiled.

"Rather a sentimental attitude for you, Sir Leslie," she remarked. "Have