COLBY. And after it’s all over? CATHERINE. It shall be as you wish. COLBY. You’ve meant so much to me, Kate. All the success I’ve had I feel that I owe to you. Sometimes I’ve hated the intrigues and the littleness of politics. I’ve been tempted to give the whole thing up. But you put fresh courage into me. It’s because of you that I’ve been able to ignore the rest and just keep my eyes fixed always on the greatness of the aim. CATHERINE. [_Smiling._] It makes me so proud to hear you say that. COLBY. [_Lightly._] Did you read the speech I made yesterday? CATHERINE. No, I’m afraid I haven’t yet. Colby. [_Gaily._] Wretched woman! And every jack one of the papers has given a leader on it. CATHERINE. I’m so sorry. It’s horrid of me. COLBY. [_Laughing._] What nonsense! Of course you’ve had much more important things to think about. CATHERINE. Tell me all about it. I suppose it was the Army debate. COLBY. Yes, I burnt my ships behind me. I said I thought some form of compulsory service was essential. Perigal’s going to the country at once. I think we shall get in. And if we do ... I wish to goodness they’d give me the War Office. Of course, after six years in office we can only hope for a small majority, and every seat will count. I wonder what will happen at Middlepool. CATHERINE. George is very popular. COLBY. Yes, that’s just it. As long as he was there the seat was safe. I wonder if anyone else will be able to hold it. CATHERINE. Do you think it will be impossible for him to stand again? COLBY. Quite. And rightly. No man’s obliged to go into Parliament. If he does it’s his duty to keep clear of scandal. [CATHERINE _gives a very slight start, and when she speaks her voice is not quite steady_. CATHERINE. That might be very difficult. A man might be an object of scandal, and yet be perfectly innocent. Supposing--a malicious person brought an action for divorce against him. It might be merely an attempt at blackmail. It would be monstrous to punish him for something that wasn’t his fault. COLBY. D’you honestly think that’s a possible case? If a man is shot at--it’s true he may not be technically guilty--but he can hardly be blameless. If a case can be made out at all against him he must have done something very foolish. [CATHERINE _does not answer. She is terrified at what he says._ COLBY. George Winter only went into the House for his private ambition. He contested a seat in order to give himself a stronger financial position, and now he wants to use his money to force himself into some sort of job. We’ve got no use for people like that. CATHERINE. [_As if she were changing the conversation._] I wonder what you’d do if you were beaten at the General Election? COLBY. [_With a laugh._] I don’t think my constituents will throw me out as long as I behave myself. CATHERINE. [_Smiling._] And if they did? COLBY.