Lord Redford remained alone with them.

"I scarcely know what sort of fortune to wish you, Mannering," he said.
"Perhaps your first speech will tell us."

Berenice leaned back in her chair.

"I can't imagine you as a labour member in the least," she remarked.

"Doesn't this force your hand a little, Mannering?" Lord Redford said. "I
understand that you were anxious to avoid a direct pronouncement upon the
fiscal policy for the present."

Mannering nodded gravely.

"It is quite time I made up my mind," he said. "I shall do so now."

"May we find ourselves in the same lobby!" Lord Redford said. "I will go
and find my man. He may as well take you to the station in the car."

Berenice smiled at Mannering luminously through the shadowy lights.

"Dear friend," she said, "I am delighted that you are going. Our
little time here has been delightful, but we had reached its limit.
I like to think that you are going back into the thick of it. Don't be
faint-hearted, Lawrence. Don't lose faith in yourself. You have chosen
a terribly lonely path; if any man can find his way to the top, you can.
And don't dare to forget me, sir!"

He caught her cheerful tone.

"You are inspiring," he declared. "Thank heaven, I have a twelve hours'
journey before me. I need time for thought, if ever a man did."

"Don't worry about it," she answered, lightly. "The truth is somewhere in
your brain, I suppose, and when the time comes you will find it. Much
better think about your sandwiches."

The car backed into the yard. Blanche reappeared, and behind her
Mannering's bag.

"I do hope that Hester and I have packed everything," she said. "We could
come over to-morrow, if there's anything you want us for. If not we shall
stay here for another week. Good-bye!"

She calmly held up her lips, and Mannering kissed them after a moment's
hesitation. She remained by his side even when he turned to say farewell
to Berenice.

"I am sure you ought to be going," she said calmly. "I will send on your
letters if there are any to-morrow. Wire your address as soon as you
arrive. Good luck!"

The car glided away. They all stood in a group to see him go, and waved
indiscriminate farewells. Blanche moved a little apart as the car
disappeared, and Berenice watched her curiously. She was rubbing her lips
with her handkerchief.

"A sting!" she remarked, becoming suddenly aware of the other's scrutiny.
"Nothing that hurts very much!"

CHAPTER IV