At supper, Parkington was placed at her right and Herford on the left, and he observed that the former exerted his privilege, and monopolized the conversation. Herford, several times, tried to break in, but was always manoeuvred out of it; and, presently, with a somewhat bad grace, he gave over, and, thereafter, Parkington had it all his own way. And Judith seemed to encourage him, at least, she did nothing to discourage; she was blindly oblivious to Herford's efforts, gave him no assistance, and welcomed Sir Edward back into the talk with almost flattering eagerness. Whereat, Maynadier was puzzled, and a trifle surprised. Here, also, was a new twist in her character. A little later, when he was strolling alone down the avenue, he was joined by Herford, who, after a few minutes' talk, said bluntly: "Maynadier, am I right in supposing you have no particular interest in Sir Edward Parkington?" "What do you intend by 'particular interest'?" asked Maynadier. "Friendship--friendship as distinguished from acquaintanceship." "If you mean, am I an acquaintance rather than a friend of Sir Edward Parkington, I should say, yes." "Then you have no objection, if I speak plainly?" "None whatever," said Maynadier. "I am not his sponsor, and neither am I responsible for what you say." Herford nodded. "Did it ever strike you that there is something queer about him?" he asked. "No, it did not. On the contrary, I think that he is possessed of faculties far above the ordinary." "I expressed myself poorly," said Herford. "I meant that he is not what he seems." Maynadier was silent. "There is something about him which raises a doubt," Herford went on. "A doubt as to his personality, or a doubt as to his good repute?" asked Maynadier. "As to the latter," was the sneering reply, "he is a friend of Baltimore--which is sufficient to put him under a standing suspicion. As to his personality, I do not mean that he is _not_ Sir Edward Parkington--his letters were entirely regular--but that he is playing a part. He does not ring true. I cannot tell just what it is, Maynadier, but it is. How does he impress you?" "No! no! Herford," said Maynadier. "I did not engage to swap confidences with you, concerning Sir Edward Parkington. All I said was that _you_ might speak plainly concerning him, if you so wished." "I do not ask for your confidence," said Herford. "I recognize that you are of the Council, and may know matters which are not for us----" "The Council has no information whatever, concerning Sir Edward," Maynadier interrupted. "Which goes to show that he is not an agent of the government." ("Which goes to show nothing of the sort," thought Maynadier.) "And that he is here solely on his own account. As I said, I do not know what makes me suspicious, but I am. Did you notice him with Miss Marbury--ever since we came here, it has been going on--but especially to-night. He has fascinated her."