So FARRANT departs, leaving the two cousins together. CANTELUPE
      has not moved and now faces HORSHAM just as accusingly.

CANTELUPE.  Cyril, this is tragic.

HORSHAM. [More to himself than in answer.] Yes ... most annoying.

CANTELUPE.  Lucifer, son of the morning!  Why is it always the highest who fall?

      HORSHAM shies fastidiously at this touch of poetry.

HORSHAM.  No, my dear Charles, let us above all things keep our mental balance.  Trebell is a most capable fellow.  I’d set my heart on having him with me ... he’ll be most awkward to deal with in opposition.  But we shall survive his loss and so would the country.

CANTELUPE. [Desperately.] Cyril, promise me there shall be no compromise over this measure.

HORSHAM. [Charmingly candid.] No ... no unnecessary compromise, I promise you.

CANTELUPE. [With a sigh.] If we had done what we have done to-night in the right spirit!  Blackborough was almost vindictive.

HORSHAM. [Smiling without amusement.] Didn’t you keep thinking ...  I did ... of that affair of his with Mrs. Parkington ... years ago?

CANTELUPE.  There was never any proof of it.

HORSHAM.  No ... he bought off the husband.

CANTELUPE. [Uneasily.] His objections to Trebell were—­political.

HORSHAM.  Yours weren’t.

CANTELUPE. [More uneasily still.] I withdrew mine.

HORSHAM. [With elderly reproof.] I don’t think, Charles, you have the least conception of what a nicely balanced machine a cabinet is.

CANTELUPE. [Imploring comfort.] But should we have held together through
Trebell’s bill?

HORSHAM. [A little impatient.] Perhaps not.  But once I had them all round a table ...  Trebell is very keen on office for all his independent airs ... he and Percival could have argued the thing out.  However, it’s too late now.

CANTELUPE.  Is it?

      For a moment HORSHAM is tempted to indulge in the luxury of
      changing his mind; but he puts Satan behind him with a shake of the
      head.

HORSHAM.  Well, you see ...  Percival I can’t do without.  Now that Blackborough knows of his objections to the finance he’d go to him and take Chisholm and offer to back them up.  I know he would ... he didn’t take Farrant away with him for nothing. [Then he flashes out rather shrilly.] It’s Trebell’s own fault.  He ought not to have committed himself definitely to any scheme until he was safely in office.  I warned him about Percival ...  I warned him not to be explicit.  One cannot work with men who will make up their minds prematurely.  No, I shall not change my mind.  I shall write to him.

      He goes firmly to his writing desk leaving CANTELUPE forlorn.