"Are you very much occupied, Mr. Mannering," she asked, lightly, "or
could you spare me a moment?"

He stopped short. Whatever surprise he may have felt he concealed.

"I am entirely at your service, Duchess," he answered. "Mr. Harrison will
excuse me, I am sure," he added, turning to his companion.

She rested her fingers upon his arm. The house belonged to a relative of
hers, and she knew where to find a quiet spot. When they were alone she
did not hesitate for a moment.

"Lawrence," she said, quietly, "will you imagine for a moment that we are
back again at Blakely?"

"I would to God we were!" he answered, impulsively. "That is--if you wish
it too!"

She did not answer at once. The sudden abnegation of his reserve took her
by surprise. She had to readjust her words.

"At least," she said, "there are many things about Blakely which I regret
all the time. You know, of course, the chief one, our own altered selves.
I know, Lawrence, that I need to ask your forgiveness. I came there under
an assumed name, and I will admit that my coming was part of a scheme
between Ronalds, Rochester and myself. Well, I am ready to ask your
forgiveness for that. I don't think you ought to refuse it me. It doesn't
alter anything that happened. It doesn't even affect it. You must believe
that!"