Berenice, arrested in her forward movement, watched Mannering’s face eagerly.  So carefully modulated had been Borrowdean’s voice that no word of his had reached beyond their own immediate circle.  It was as though a silent tableau were being played out between the three, and Mannering, to whom repression had become a habit, gave little indication of anything he might have felt.  Borrowdean’s fixed smile betokened nothing but an ordinary interest in the introduction of two friends, and the Duchess’s back was turned towards her friends.  They both waited for Mannering to speak.

“This,” he said, slowly, “is a surprise!  I had no idea when I called to see Borrowdean here, of the pleasure which was in store for me.”

Borrowdean dropped his eyeglass.

“Are you serious, my dear Mannering?” he exclaimed.  “Do you mean to say that you came here—­”

“Only to see you,” Mannering interrupted.  “That you should know perfectly well.  I am sorry to hurry you out, but the few minutes’ conversation which I desired with you is of some importance, and my train leaves in an hour.  I hope that you will pardon me,” he added, looking steadily at Berenice, “if I hurry away one of your guests.”

She laughed quite in her natural manner.

“I will forgive anything,” she said, “except that you should hurry away yourself so unceremoniously.  Come and sit down near me.  I want to talk to you about Blakeley.”

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 one another.”

“Willingly!” Borrowdean said.  “But your train?”

“Let my train go,” Mannering answered.  “There are some things I have to say to you.”