the very question of
England's existence as an empire. England in a conflict with South
Africa, the hour long desired by more than one country, in which she
would be occupied to the limit of her capacity, with resources taxed to
the utmost, army inadequate, and military affairs in confusion, would
come, and with it the opportunity to bring the Titan to her knees. This
diplomatic scheme of Ian Stafford, however, would prevent the worst in
any case, and even in the disasters of war, would be working out
advantages which, after the war was done, would give England many
friends and fewer enemies, give her treaties and new territory, and set
her higher than she was now by a political metre.

Count Landrassy had thought at first, when Ian Stafford came to
Glencader, that this meeting had been purposely arranged; but through
Byng's frankness and ingenuous explanations he saw that he was
mistaken. The two subtle and combating diplomats had not yet conversed
save in a general way by the smoking-room fire.

Lady Tynemouth's eyes fell on Ian with a different meaning. His coming
to Glencader had been a surprise to her. He had accepted an invitation
to visit her in another week, and she had only come to know later of
the chance meeting of Ian and Jasmine in London, and the subsequent
accident to Jigger which had brought Ian down to Wales. The man who had
saved her life on her wedding journey, and whose walls were still
garish with the red parasol which had nearly been her death, had a
place quite his own in her consideration. She had, of course, known of
his old infatuation for Jasmine, though she did not know all; and she
knew also that he had put Jasmine out of his life completely when she
married Byng; which was not a source of regret to her. She had written
him about Jasmine, again and again,--of what she did and what the world
said--and his replies had been as casual and as careless as the most
jealous woman could desire; though she was not consciously jealous,
and, of course, had no right to be.

She saw no harm in having a man as a friend on a basis of intimacy
which drew the line at any possibility of divorce-court proceedings.
Inside this line she frankly insisted on latitude, and Tynemouth gave
it to her without thought or anxiety. He was too fond of outdoor life,
of racing and hunting and shooting and polo and travel, to have his eye
unnerved by any such foolishness as jealousy.

"Play the game--play the game, Alice,