WALTER KENT. [_Overflowing with knowledge of the subject._] I was told Mallaby insisted on their showing they meant business. I thought he was being too clever ... and it turns out he was. Tommy Luxmore told me there was a fearful row in the Cabinet about it. But on their last legs, you know, it didn't seem to matter, I suppose. Even then, if Prothero had mustered up an ounce of tact ... I believe they could have pulled them through.... FRANCES TREBELL. Not the Spoliation one. WALTER KENT. Well, Mr. Trebell dished that! FRANCES TREBELL. Henry says his speech didn't turn a vote. MRS. FARRANT. [_With charming irony._] How disinterested of him! WALTER KENT. [_Enthusiastic._] That speech did if ever a speech did. FRANCES TREBELL. Is there any record of a speech that ever did? He just carried his own little following with him. MRS. FARRANT. But the crux of the whole matter is and has always been ... what's to be done with the Church's money. LUCY DAVENPORT. [_Visualising sovereigns._] A hundred millions or so ... think of it! FRANCES TREBELL. There has been from the start a good deal of anti-Nonconformist feeling against applying the money to secular uses. MRS. FARRANT. [_Deprecating false modesty, on anyone's behalf._] Oh, of course the speech turned votes ... twenty of them at least. LUCY DAVENPORT. [_Determined on information._] Then I was told Lord Horsham had tried to come to an understanding himself with the Nonconformists about Disestablishment--oh--a long time ago ... over the Education Bill. FRANCES TREBELL. Is that true, Julia? MRS. FARRANT. How should I know? FRANCES TREBELL. [_With some mischief_] You might. MRS. FARRANT. [_Weighing her words._] I don't think it would have been altogether wise to make advances. They'd have asked more than a Conservative government could possibly persuade the Church to give up. WALTER KENT. I don't see that Horsham's much better off now. He only turned the Radicals out on the Spoliation question by the help of Trebell. And so far ... I mean, till this election is over Trebell counts still as one of them, doesn't he, Miss Trebell? Oh ... perhaps he doesn't. FRANCES TREBELL. He'll tell you he never has counted as one of them. MRS. FARRANT. No doubt Lord Charles would sooner have done without his help. And that's why I didn't ask the gentle Jesuit this week-end if anyone wants to know. WALTER KENT. [_Stupent at this lack of party spirit._] What ... he'd rather have had the Liberals go to the country undefeated! MRS. FARRANT. [_With finesse._] The election may bring us back independent of Mr. Trebell and anything he stands for. WALTER KENT. [_Sharply._] But you asked Lord Horsham to meet him. MRS. FARRANT. [_With still more finesse._] I had my reasons. Votes aren't everything. LADY DAVENPORT _has been listening with rather a doubtful smile; she now caps the discussion._