LADY HUNSTANTON. I assure you, dear, that the country has not that effect at all. Why, it was from Melthorpe, which is only two miles from here, that Lady Belton eloped with Lord Fethersdale. I remember the occurrence perfectly. Poor Lord Belton died three days afterwards of joy, or gout. I forget which. We had a large party staying here at the time, so we were all very much interested in the whole affair. MRS. ALLONBY. I think to elope is cowardly. It’s running away from danger. And danger has become so rare in modern life. LADY CAROLINE. As far as I can make out, the young women of the present day seem to make it the sole object of their lives to be always playing with fire. MRS. ALLONBY. The one advantage of playing with fire, Lady Caroline, is that one never gets even singed. It is the people who don’t know how to play with it who get burned up. LADY STUTFIELD. Yes; I see that. It is very, very helpful. LADY HUNSTANTON. I don’t know how the world would get on with such a theory as that, dear Mrs. Allonby. LADY STUTFIELD. Ah! The world was made for men and not for women. MRS. ALLONBY. Oh, don’t say that, Lady Stutfield. We have a much better time than they have. There are far more things forbidden to us than are forbidden to them. LADY STUTFIELD. Yes; that is quite, quite true. I had not thought of that. [_Enter_ SIR JOHN _and_ MR. KELVIL.] LADY HUNSTANTON. Well, Mr. Kelvil, have you got through your work? KELVIL. I have finished my writing for the day, Lady Hunstanton. It has been an arduous task. The demands on the time of a public man are very heavy nowadays, very heavy indeed. And I don’t think they meet with adequate recognition. LADY CAROLINE. John, have you got your overshoes on? SIR JOHN. Yes, my love. LADY CAROLINE. I think you had better come over here, John. It is more sheltered. SIR JOHN. I am quite comfortable, Caroline. LADY CAROLINE. I think not, John. You had better sit beside me. [SIR JOHN _rises and goes across_.] LADY STUTFIELD. And what have you been writing about this morning, Mr. Kelvil? KELVIL. On the usual subject, Lady Stutfield. On Purity. LADY STUTFIELD. That must be such a very, very interesting thing to write about. KELVIL. It is the one subject of really national importance, nowadays, Lady Stutfield. I purpose addressing my constituents on the question before Parliament meets. I find that the poorer classes of this country display a marked desire for a higher ethical standard. LADY STUTFIELD. How quite, quite nice of them. LADY CAROLINE. Are you in favour of women taking part in politics, Mr. Kettle? SIR JOHN. Kelvil, my love, Kelvil. KELVIL. The growing influence of women is the one reassuring thing in our political life, Lady Caroline. Women are always on the side of morality, public and private. LADY STUTFIELD. It is so very, very gratifying to hear you say that.