"More than you! But you have been a Cabinet Minister!" she exclaimed.

"So was your uncle once," he answered. "So he could be again whenever he
chose."

She looked at him incredulously.

"You don't really mean that, Sir Leslie?"

"Indeed I do!" he asserted. "There was never a man within my recollection
or knowledge who in so short a time made for himself a position so
brilliant as your uncle. There is no man to-day whose written word
carries so much weight with the people."

She sighed a little doubtfully.

"Then if that is so," she said, "I cannot imagine why we live down here,
hundreds of miles away from everywhere. Why did he give it up? Why is he
not in Parliament now?"

"It is to ask him that question, Miss Mannering," Borrowdean said, "that
I am here. No wonder it seems surprising to you. It is surprising to all
of us."

She looked at him eagerly.

"You mean, then, that you--that his party want him to go back?" she
asked.

"Assuredly!"