She swept her gown on one side, disclosing a vacant place on the settee
where she had been sitting. For a second her eyes said more to him than
her courteous but half-careless words of invitation. Mannering made no
movement forward.

"I am sorry," he said, "but it is impossible for me to stay!"

She seemed to dismiss him and the whole subject with a careless little
shrug of the shoulders, which was all the farewell she vouchsafed to
either of them. A woman who had just entered seemed to absorb her whole
attention. The two men passed out.

Mannering spoke no word until they stood upon the pavement. Then he
turned almost savagely upon his companion.

"This is a trick of yours, I suppose!" he exclaimed. "Damn you and your
meddling, Borrowdean. Why can't you leave me and my affairs alone? No,
I am not going your way. Let us separate here!"

Borrowdean shook his head.

"You are unreasonable, Mannering," he said. "I have done only what I
believe you were on your way to ask me to do. I have brought you and
Berenice together again. It was for both your sakes. If there has been
any misunderstanding between you, it would be better cleared up."

Mannering gripped his arm.

"Let us go to your rooms, Borrowdean," he said. "It is time we understood