TREBELL. In view of my promising past. I've stood for success, Fanny; I still stand for success. I could still do more outside the Cabinet than the rest of them, inside, will do. But suddenly I've a feeling the work would be barren. [_His eyes shift beyond her; beyond the room._] What is it in your thoughts and actions which makes them bear fruit? Something that the roughest peasant may have in common with the best of us intellectual men . . something that a dog might have. It isn't successful cleverness. _She stands . . his trouble beyond her reach._ FRANCES. Come now . . you've done very well with your life. TREBELL. Do you know how empty I feel of all virtue at this moment? _He leaves her. She must bring him back to the plane on which she can help him._ FRANCES. We must think what's best to be done . . now . . and for the future. TREBELL. Why, I could go on earning useless money at the Bar . . think how nice that would be. I could blackmail the next judgeship out of Horsham. I think I could even smash his Disestablishment Bill . . and perhaps get into the next Liberal Cabinet and start my own all over again, with necessary modifications. I shan't do any such things. FRANCES. No one knows about you and poor Amy? TREBELL. Half a dozen friends. Shall I offer to give evidence at the inquest this morning? FRANCES. [_With a little shiver._] They'll say bad enough things about her without your blackening her good name. _Without warning, his anger and anguish break out again._ TREBELL. All she had . . all there is left of her! She was a nothingness . . silly . . vain. And I gave her this power over me! _He is beaten, exhausted. Now she goes to him, motherlike._ FRANCES. My dear, listen to me for a little. Consider that as a sorrow and put it behind you. And think now . . whatever love there may be between us has neither hatred nor jealousy in it, has it, Henry? Since I'm not a mistress or a friend but just the likest fellow-creature to you . . perhaps. TREBELL. [_Putting out his hand for hers._] Yes, my sister. What I've wanted to feel for vague humanity has been what I should have felt for you . . if you'd ever made a single demand on me. _She puts her arms round him; able to speak._ FRANCES. Let's go away somewhere . . I'll make demands. I need refreshing as much as you. My joy of life has been withered in me . . oh, for a long time now. We must kiss the earth again . . take interest in common things, common people. There's so much of the world we don't know. There's air to breathe everywhere. Think of the flowers in a Tyrol valley in the early spring. One can walk for days, not hurrying, as soon as the passes are open. And the people are kind. There's Italy . . there's Russia full of simple folk. When we've learned to be friends with them we shall both feel so much better.