“But he has no following,” Borrowdean objected.

“I think,” Berenice said, slowly, “that he keeps as far aloof as possible for one reason, and one reason only.  He avoids friendship, but he makes no enemies.  He cultivates a neutral position whenever he can.  What he is looking forward to, I am sure, is to found a coalition Government.”

“It is very possible,” Lord Redford remarked.  “I wonder if he will ask me to join.”

“Always selfish,” Berenice laughed.  “You men are all alike!”

“On the contrary,” Lord Redford answered, “my interest was purely patriotic.  I cannot imagine the affairs of the country flourishing deprived of my valuable services.  Let us go and wander through the crowd.  Members of a Government in extremes like ours ought not to whisper together in corners.  It gives rise to comment.”

Anstruther came hurrying up.  He drew Redford on one side.

“Mannering is here,” he said, quietly.  “Just arrived from Sandringham.  He is looking for you.”

Almost as he spoke Mannering appeared.  He did not at first see Berenice, and from the corner where she stood she watched him closely.

It was two years since those few weeks at Bonestre, and during all that time they had scarcely met.  Berenice knew that he had avoided her.  For twelve months he had declined all social engagements, and since then he had pleaded the stress of political affairs as an excuse for leading the life almost of a recluse.  Unseen herself, she studied him closely.  He was much thinner, and every trace of his once healthy colouring had disappeared.  His eyes seemed deeper set.  There were streaks of grey in his hair.  But for all that to her he was unaltered.  He was still the one man in the world.  She saw him shake hands with Lord Redford and draw him a little on one side.

“Can you spare me five minutes?” he asked.  “I have a matter to discuss with you.”

“Certainly!” Lord Redford answered.  “I am leaving directly, and I might drive you home if you liked.  We heard that you were at Sandringham.”

“I came up this afternoon,” Mannering answered.  “I heard that you were likely to be here, and as Lady Herrington had been kind enough to send me a card I came on.”

Lord Redford nodded.

“Borrowdean and Anstruther are here too,” he remarked.  “We all felt in need of diversion.  As you know very well, we’re in a tight corner.”

Berenice came out from her place.  At the sound of the rustling of her skirts both men turned their heads.  She wore a gown of black velvet and a wonderful rope of pearls hung from her neck.  She raised her hand and smiled at Mannering.

“I am glad to see you again,” she said, softly.  “It is quite an age since we met, isn’t it?”

He held her hand for a moment.  The touch of his fingers chilled her.  He greeted her with quiet courtesy, but there was no answering smile upon his lips.