MAGGIE [hesitating]. He is very busy just now. VENABLES [smiling]. I think he will see me. MAGGIE. Is it something about his speech? VENABLES [the smile hardening]. Well, yes, it is. MAGGIE. Then I dare say I could tell you what you want to know without troubling him, as I’ve been typing it. VENABLES [with a sigh]. I don’t acquire information in that way. COMTESSE. I trust not. MAGGIE. There’s no secret about it. He is to show it to the whips tonight. VENABLES [sharply]. You are sure of that? COMTESSE. It is quite true, Charles. I heard him say so; and indeed he repeated what he called the ‘peroration’ before me. MAGGIE. I know it by heart. [She plays a bold game.] ‘These are the demands of all intelligent British women, and I am proud to nail them to my flag’-- COMTESSE. The very words, Mrs. Shand. MAGGIE [looking at her imploringly]. ‘And I don’t care how they may embarrass the Government.’ [The COMTESSE is bereft of speech, so suddenly has she been introduced to the real MAGGIE SHAND]. ‘If the right honourable gentleman will give us his pledge to introduce a similar Bill this session I will willingly withdraw mine; but otherwise I solemnly warn him that I will press the matter now to a division.’ [She turns her face from the great man; she has gone white.] VENABLES [after a pause]. Capital. [The blood returns to MAGGIE’s heart.] COMTESSE [who is beginning to enjoy herself very much]. Then you are pleased to know that he means to, as you say, go to a division? VENABLES. Delighted. The courage of it will be the making of him. COMTESSE. I see. VENABLES. Had he been to hedge we should have known that he was a pasteboard knight and have disregarded him. COMTESSE. I see. [She desires to catch the eye of MAGGIE, but it is carefully turned from her.] VENABLES. Mrs. Shand, let us have him in at once. COMTESSE. Yes, yes, indeed. [MAGGIE’s anxiety returns, but she has to call JOHN in.] JOHN [impressed]. Mr. Venables! This is an honour. VENABLES. How are you, Shand? JOHN. Sit down, sit down. [Becoming himself again.] I can guess what you have come about. VENABLES. Ah, you Scotsmen. JOHN. Of course I know I’m harassing the Government a good deal-- VENABLES [blandly]. Not at all, Shand. The Government are very pleased. JOHN. You don’t expect me to believe that? VENABLES. I called here to give you the proof of it. You may know that we are to have a big meeting at Leeds on the 24th, when two Ministers are to speak. There is room for a third speaker, and I am authorised to offer that place to you. JOHN. To me! VENABLES. Yes. JOHN [swelling]. It would be--the Government taking me up. VENABLES. Don’t make too much of it; it would be an acknowledgment that they look upon you as one of their likely young men. MAGGIE. John!