Having vented his grievances he sits down to recover. BLACKBOROUGH
      takes advantage of the ensuing pause.

BLACKBOROUGH.  It isn’t so easy for me to speak against Trebell, since he evidently dislikes me personally as much as I dislike him ... but I’m sure I’m doing my duty.  Horsham ... here you have Cantelupe who won’t stand in with the man, and Percival who won’t stand in with his measure, while I would sooner stand in with neither.  Isn’t it better to face the situation now than take trouble to form the most makeshift of Cabinets, and if that doesn’t go to pieces, be voted down in the House by your own party?

There is an oppressive silence, HORSHAM is sulky.  The matter is beyond FARRANT.  CANTELUPE whose agonies have expressed themselves in slight writhings, at last, with an effort, writhes himself to his feet.

CANTELUPE.  I think I am prepared to reconsider my decision.

FARRANT.  That’s all right then!

      He looks round wonderingly for the rest of the chorus to find that
      neither BLACKBOROUGH nor HORSHAM have stirred.

BLACKBOROUGH. [Stealthily.] Is it, Horsham?

HORSHAM. [Sotto voce.] Why did you ever make it?

      BLACKBOROUGH leaves him for CANTELUPE.

BLACKBOROUGH.  You’re afraid for the integrity of the bill.

CANTELUPE.  It must be comprehensive ... that’s vital.  BLACKBOROUGH. [Very forcefully.] I give you my word to support its integrity, if you’ll keep with me in persuading Horsham that the inclusion of Trebell in his cabinet will be a blow to the whole Conservative Cause.  Horsham, I implore you not to pursue this short-sighted policy.  All parties have made up their minds to Disestablishment ... surely nothing should be easier than to frame a bill which will please all parties.

FARRANT. [At last perceiving the drift of all this.] But good Lord,
Blackborough ... now Cantelupe has come round and will stand in ...

BLACKBOROUGH.  That’s no longer the point.  And what’s all this nonsense about going to the country again next year?

HORSHAM. [Mildly.] After consulting me Percival said at Bristol....

BLACKBOROUGH. [Quite unchecked.] I know.  But if we pursue a thoroughly safe policy and the bye-elections go right ... there need be no vote of censure carried for three or four years.  The Radicals want a rest with the country and they know it.  And one has no right, what’s more, to go wantonly plunging the country into the expenses of these constant general elections.  It ruins trade.

FARRANT. [Forlornly sticking to his point.] What has all this to do with
Trebell?

HORSHAM. [Thoughtfully.] Farrant, beyond what you’ve told us, Percival didn’t recommend me to throw him over.

FARRANT.  No, he didn’t ... that is, he didn’t exactly.