carnaby. That's a mere Downing Street custom.

lord john. And I seem to remember that a letter of yours from . . . where were you in those days?

george. Paris . . . Naples . . . Vienna.

lord john. One place . . . once lightened a fit of gout.

carnaby. George, you have in you the makings of a minister.

george. No.

carnaby. Remember the Age tends to the disreputable.

george moves away, sarah moves towards them.

carnaby. George is something of a genius, stuffed with theories and possessed of a curious conscience. But I am fortunate in my children.

lord john. All the world knows it.