'Affect it? How? God bless my soul!' Lord John's transparent skin flushed up to his white hair. 'Don't tell me any responsible person is going even to consider the lunacy of tampering with the British Constitution----' 'We _have_ heard that suggested, though for better reasons,' Stonor laughed, but not Lord John. 'Turn over the destinies of the Empire,' he said hotly, 'to a lot of ignorant women just because a few of 'em have odious manners and violent tongues!' The sight of Stonor's cool impassivity calmed him somewhat. He went on more temperately. 'Every sane person sees that the only trouble with England to-day is that too many ignorant people have votes already.' 'The penalty we pay for being more republican than the Republics.' Lord John had picked up the Sunday paper and glanced down a column. 'If the worst came to the worst, you can do what the other four hundred have done.' 'Easily! But the mere fact that four hundred and twenty members have been worried into promising support--and then, once in the House, have let the matter severely alone----' 'Let it alone?' Lord John burst out again. 'I should think so indeed!' 'Yes,' laughed Stonor, 'only it's a device that's somewhat worn.' 'Still,' Lord John put on a Macchiavellian air that sat rather incongruously on his honest English face, 'Still, if they think they're getting a future Cabinet Minister on their side----' 'It will be sufficiently embarrassing for the Cabinet Minister.' Stonor caught sight of Farnborough approaching and lowered his voice. He leaned his elbow on the end of the wide mantelpiece and gave his attention exclusively to Lord John, seeming to ignore even the pretty girl who still stood by her uncle with a hand slipped through his arm. 'Nobody says much about it,' Stonor went on, 'but it's realized that the last Labour member, and that Colne Valley Socialist--those men got in largely through the tireless activity of the women.' 'The Suffragettes!' exclaimed the girl, '_they_ were able to do that?' 'They're always saying they don't favour _any_ party,' said a voice. Stonor looked up, and, to Jean's obvious relief, refrained from snubbing the irrepressible Farnborough. 'I don't know what they _say_----' began Stonor. 'Oh, _I_ do!' Farnborough interrupted. 'They're not _for_ anybody. They're simply agin the Government.' 'Whatever they say, they're all Socialists.' Lord John gave a snort. 'No,' said Farnborough, with cool audacity. 'It only looks like that.' Jean turned quite pink with anxiety. She, and all who knew him well, had seen Stonor crush the cocksure and the unwary with an awful effectualness. But Farnborough, with the courage of enthusiasm--enthusiasm for himself and his own future--went stoutly on. 'There are Liberals and even Unionists among 'em. And they do manage to hold the balance pretty even. I go and hear them, you see!'