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. _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?