_He says this so earnestly that_ HORSHAM _pays attention_. HORSHAM. No, my dear Charles, let us be practical. If his position with us is to be made impossible it is better that he shouldn't assume it. BLACKBOROUGH. [_Soft and friendly._] How far are you actually pledged to him? HORSHAM _looks up with the most ingenuous of smiles_. HORSHAM. That's always such a difficult sort of point to determine, isn't it? He thinks he is to join us. But I've not yet been commanded to form a cabinet. If neither you--nor Percival--nor perhaps others will work with him . . what am I to do? [_He appeals to them generally to justify this attitude._] BLACKBOROUGH. He no longer thinks he's to join us . . it's the question he left us to decide. _He leaves_ HORSHAM, _whose perplexity is diminishing_. FARRANT _makes an effort_. FARRANT. But the scandal won't weaken his position with us now. There won't be any scandal . . there won't, Blackborough. HORSHAM. There may be. Though, I take it we're all guiltless of having mentioned the matter. BLACKBOROUGH. [_Very detached._] I've only known of it since I came into this house . . but I shall not mention it. FARRANT. Oh, I'm afraid my wife knows. [_He adds hastily._] My fault . . my fault entirely. BLACKBOROUGH. I tell you Rumour's electric. HORSHAM _has turned to_ FARRANT _with a sweet smile and with the air of a man about to be relieved of all responsibility_. HORSHAM. What does she say? FARRANT. [_As one speaks of a nice woman._] She was horrified. HORSHAM. Of course. [_Once more he finds refuge and comfort on the hearthrug, to say, after a moment, with fine resignation._] I suppose I must let him go. CANTELUPE. [_On his feet again._] Cyril! HORSHAM. Yes, Charles? _With this query he turns an accusing eye on_ CANTELUPE, _who is silenced_. BLACKBOROUGH. Have you made up your mind to that? FARRANT. [_In great distress._] You're wrong, Horsham. [_Then in greater._] That is . . I =think= you're wrong. HORSHAM. I'd sooner not let him know to-night. BLACKBOROUGH. But he asked you to. HORSHAM. [_All show of resistance gone._] Did he? Then I suppose I must. [_He sighs deeply._] BLACKBOROUGH. Then I'll get back to Aylesbury. _He picks up his motor-cap from the table and settles it on his head with immense aplomb._ HORSHAM. So late? BLACKBOROUGH. Really one can get along quicker at night if one knows the road. You're in town, aren't you, Farrant? Shall I drop you at Grosvenor Square? FARRANT. [_Ungraciously._] Thank you. BLACKBOROUGH. [_With a conqueror's geniality._] I don't mind telling you now, Horsham, that ever since we met at Shapters I've been wondering how you'd escape from this association with Trebell. Thought he was being very clever when he crossed the House to us! It's needed a special providence. You'd never have got a cabinet together to include him. HORSHAM. [_With much intention._] No. FARRANT. [_Miserably._] Yes, I suppose that intrigue was a mistake from the beginning.