mrs. farrant. [With finesse.] The election may bring us back independent of Mr. Trebell and anything he stands for.
walter kent. [Sharply.] But you asked Lord Horsham to meet him.
mrs. farrant. [With still more finesse.] I had my reasons. Votes aren't everything.
lady davenporthas been listening with rather a doubtful smile; she now caps the discussion.
lady davenport. I'm relieved to hear you say so, my dear Julia. On the other hand democracy seems to have brought itself to a pretty pass. Here's a measure, which the country as a whole neither demands nor approves of, will certainly be carried, you tell me, because a minority on each side is determined it shall be . . for totally different reasons.
mrs. farrant. [Shrugging again.] It isn't our business to prevent popular government looking foolish, Mamma.
lady davenport. Is that Tory cynicism or feminine?
At this moment george farrant comes through the window; a good-natured man of forty-five. He would tell you that he was educated at Eton and Oxford. But the knowledge which saves his life comes from the thrusting upon him of authority and experience; ranging from the management of an estate which he inherited at twenty-four, through the chairmanship of a newspaper syndicate, through a successful marriage, to a minor post in the last Tory cabinet and the prospect of one in the near-coming next. Thanks to his agents, editors, permanent officials, and his own common sense, he always acquits himself creditably. He comes to his wife's side and waits for a pause in the conversation.
lady davenport. I remember Mr. Disraeli once said to me . . Clever women are as dangerous to the State as dynamite.
frances trebell. [Not to be impressed by Disraeli.] Well, Lady Davenport, if men will leave our intellects lying loose about . .