"But," he protested, "even if I did as you suggested, and went back into politics, it would be some time, if ever, before I should be any better off."
"I will wait until that time comes," she answered, "provided that when it does, you share with me."
Then Mannering understood.
"Upon my word," he exclaimed, "you are an apt conspirator indeed. All this time you have been fooling me. I even fancied—bah! How much is Borrowdean giving you for this?"
"Nothing at all," she answered, coolly. "It is my own sincere desire for your welfare which has prompted all that I have said to you. I am ambitious for you, Lawrence. I should like to see you Prime Minister. I am sure you could be if you tried. You are letting your talents rust, and I don't approve of it!"
The faint note of mockery in her tone was clearly apparent. Mannering found it hard to answer her calmly.
"Come," he said, "put it into plain words. What does it mean? What do you want?"
"Sir Leslie tells me," she said, raising her eyes and looking him in the face, "that his party is prepared to find you a safe seat to-morrow. I want you to give up your hermit's life and accept it."
"And the alternative?"
"You have it already before you. Your reception of it was not, I must admit, altogether flattering."