A Lost Leader

ct women, dear, dull creatures, and plenty of men who know how to cover up the flaw. But there is some

ment," her friend declared. "Wome

shrugged hi

h the best years of your life, and when you have found her you avoid her. Th

regarded him

ind a better reason for your miserable state. The perfect woman

confidently, "I am convinced tha

ss shook

not attract. We seek in others the qualities which we strive m

d. "I like examples. The l

er softly shaded drawing-rooms, odourous with flowers, came the rippling of water falling from a fountain in the conservatory, the lazy hum of a mow

e murmured, "a

d risen to go

e nature of a personal confession is so fascinating

smiling. "Then I am

l. But if you are really not going to give yourself away, Duchess, I am afraid I must move on. On

rha

ping for an opportunity to be alone for a few minutes with the Duchess, and himself a skilful tactician in such small matters, he could not but admire the way she had kept him at arm's le

ered, confidentially, "but he is returning to the country this evening,

leled good fortune, or simply a trick of the fates to tempt him on to catastrophe? With that wonderful

you would show the gentleman up here as an ordinary visitor. I sho

" the man answer

his call. He remembered his grey travelling clothes, and all his natural distaste for social amenities returned with unabated force as he neared the reception-rooms and heard the softly modulated rise and fall of feminine voices, the swishing of silks and muslin, the faint perfume of flowers and

hostess might be, and feeling absolutely no curiosity concerning her

, quickly, "but if your call is over, could you come away

ly, and laid his hand up

e you have discovered our little secret, don't yo

who at the sound of his voice had suddenly abandoned her conversation and risen to

exclaime

rrowdean, with an almost impercept

sell, Mannering, let me present you now to her other self. Duchess, you see that our recluse has come

e. 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. Borrow

d no idea when I called to see Borrowdean her

dropped h

ering?" he exclaimed. "Do you

t the few minutes' conversation which I desired with you is of some importance, and my train leaves in an hour.

uite in her n

hould hurry away yourself so unceremoniously. Come and

she had been sitting. For a second her eyes said more to him than her courte

d, "but it is imposs

e shoulders, which was all the farewell she vouchsafed to either of them. A woman

tood upon the pavement. Then he turn

and your meddling, Borrowdean. Why can't you leave me and my af

an shook

ur way to ask me to do. I have brought you and Berenice together again. It was for both you

g grippe

rowdean," he said. "It is tim

rrowdean said.

answered. "There are some t

hansom. The two me