BLACKBOROUGH. [_Stealthily._] Is it, Horsham? HORSHAM. [_Sotto voce._] Why did you ever make it? BLACKBOROUGH _leaves him for_ CANTELUPE. BLACKBOROUGH. You're afraid for the integrity of the bill. CANTELUPE. It must be comprehensive . . that's vital. BLACKBOROUGH. [_Very forcefully._] I give you my word to support its integrity, if you'll keep with me in persuading Horsham that the inclusion of Trebell in his cabinet will be a blow to the whole Conservative Cause. Horsham, I implore you not to pursue this short-sighted policy. All parties have made up their minds to Disestablishment . . surely nothing should be easier than to frame a bill which will please all parties. FARRANT. [_At last perceiving the drift of all this._] But good Lord, Blackborough . . now Cantelupe has come round and will stand in . . . BLACKBOROUGH. That's no longer the point. And what's all this nonsense about going to the country again next year? HORSHAM. [_Mildly._] After consulting me Percival said at Bristol. . . BLACKBOROUGH. [_Quite unchecked._] I know. But if we pursue a thoroughly safe policy and the bye-elections go right . . there need be no vote of censure carried for three or four years. The Radicals want a rest with the country and they know it. And one has no right, what's more, to go wantonly plunging the country into the expenses of these constant general elections. It ruins trade. FARRANT. [_Forlornly sticking to his point._] What has all this to do with Trebell? HORSHAM. [_Thoughtfully._] Farrant, beyond what you've told us, Percival didn't recommend me to throw him over. FARRANT. No, he didn't . . that is, he didn't exactly. HORSHAM. Well . . he didn't? FARRANT. I'm trying to be accurate! [_Obviously their nerves are now on edge._] He said we should find him tough to assimilate--as he warned you. HORSHAM _with knit brows, loses himself in thought again_. BLACKBOROUGH _quietly turns his attention to_ FARRANT. BLACKBOROUGH. Farrant, you don't seriously think that . . outside his undoubted capabilities . . Trebell is an acquisition to the party? FARRANT. [_Unwillingly._] Perhaps not. But if you're going to chuck a man . . don't chuck him when he's down. BLACKBOROUGH. He's no longer down. We've got him O'Connell's promise and jolly grateful he ought to be. I think the least we can do is to keep our minds clear between Trebell's advantage and the party's. CANTELUPE. [_From the distant music-stool._] And the party's and the Country's. BLACKBOROUGH. [_Countering quite deftly._] Cantelupe, either we think it best for the country to have our party in power or we don't. FARRANT. [_In judicious temper._] Certainly, I don't feel our responsibility towards him is what it was ten minutes ago. The man has other careers besides his political one. BLACKBOROUGH. [_Ready to praise._] Clever as paint at the Bar--best Company lawyer we've got. CANTELUPE. It is not what he loses, I think . . but what we lose in losing him.