HORSHAM. [Gratefully.] Yes, yes. [Then to EDMUNDS who is waiting with perfect dignity.] Yes ... yes ... yes.

      EDMUNDS departs and WEDGECROFT makes for the library door, glad to
      escape.

O’CONNELL.  If you are not busy at this hour, Wedgecroft, I should be grateful if you’d wait for me.  I shall keep you, I think, but a very few minutes.

WEDGECROFT. [In his most matter-of-fact tone.] All right, O’Connell.

      He goes into the library.

CANTELUPE.  Don’t you think, Cyril, it would be wiser to prevent your man coming into the room at all while we’re discussing this?

HORSHAM. [Collecting his scattered tact.] Yes, I thought I had arranged that he shouldn’t.  I’m very sorry.  He’s a fool.  However, there’s no one else to come.  Once more, Mr. O’Connell.... [He frames no sentence.]

O’CONNELL.  I am all attention, Lord Horsham.

      CANTELUPE with a self-denying effort has risen to his feet.

CANTELUPE.  Mr. O’Connell I remain here almost against my will.  I cannot think quite calmly about this double and doubly heinous sin.  Don’t listen to us while we make light of it.  If we think of it as a political bother and ask you to smooth it away ...  I am ashamed.  But I believe I may not be wrong if I put it to you that, looking to the future and for the sake of your own Christian dignity, it may become you to be merciful.  And I pray too ...  I think we may believe ... that Mr. Trebell is feeling need of your forgiveness.  I have no more to say. [He sits down again.]

O’CONNELL.  It may be.  I have never met Mr. Trebell.

HORSHAM.  I tell you, Mr. O’Connell, putting aside Party, that your country has need of this man just at this time.

      They hang upon O’CONNELL’S reply.  It comes with deliberation.

O’CONNELL.  I suppose my point of view must be an unusual one.  I notice, at least, that twenty four hours and more has not enabled Farrant to grasp it.

FARRANT.  For God’s sake, O’Connell, don’t be so cold-blooded.  You have the life or death of a man’s reputation to decide on.

O’CONNELL. [With a cold flash of contempt.] That’s a petty enough thing now-a-days it seems to me.  There are so many clever men ... and they are all so alike ... surely one will not be missed.

CANTELUPE.  Don’t you think that is only sarcasm, Mr. O’Connell?

      The voice is so gently reproving that O’CONNELL must turn to him.