"What! you don't believe in it? But you did believe in it when I spoke to you about it those first times that I saw you in Paris. . . ." "I have changed a little," said she. "What has changed you? . . . No, no, it's not possible. . . . You will change back again. My generous Annette couldn't be disinterested in the cause of the people, in the reform of society!" "But I am not disinterested in it," she replied. "What I am disinterested in is the political cause." "They are the same thing." "Not entirely." "The victory of one will be the victory of the other." "I rather doubt it." "Yet it is the only way of serving progress and the people." (Annette thought: "While serving himself." But she reproached herself for it.) "I see other ways." "What are they?" "The oldest is still the best. Like those who followed Christ, to give all, to leave all behind, in order to go to the people." "What a utopia!" "Yes, I believe you. You are not a Utopian, Roger. I thought that you were at first; I think so no longer. In politics you have the sense of reality. With your great talent, I am perfectly sure of your future success. If I doubt the cause, I don't doubt you. You will have a splendid career. I can see you already at the head of a party, an applauded orator, winning a majority in Parliament, a minister . . ." "Stop!" he said. ". . . _Macbeth, you will be King!_ . . ." "Yes, I am something of a witch . . . for others. But what vexes me is that I am not for myself." "Yet it's not so difficult. If I become minister, that concerns you too. . . . Now see here, frankly, wouldn't that please you?" "What? To be a minister? Heavens above! Not in the least! . . . Forgive me, Roger . . . it would make me glad for your sake, of course. And if I were with you, you may be sure that I would play my part to the best of my ability, and I would be happy to help you. . . . But (you wanted me to be frank, didn't you?) I must confess that such a life would not fill my life, not at all." "Of course, I understand that. The woman best fitted in the world to share a life of political activity--take my admirable mother for example!--couldn't limit herself to that. Her real task is in the home. And her proper vocation is motherhood."