mrs. farrant. Yes, I shall be.

wedgecroft. I must go too . . it's nearly eleven.

frances. To the other inquest?

This stirs her two listeners to something of a shudder.

wedgecroft. Yes.

mrs. farrant. [In a low voice.] It will make no difference now . . I mean . . still nothing need come out? We needn't know why he . . why he did it.

wedgecroft. When he talked to me last night, and I didn't know what he was talking of. . .

frances. He was waiting this morning for Lord Horsham's note. . .

mrs. farrant. [In real alarm.] Oh, it wasn't because of the Cabinet trouble . . you must persuade Cyril Horsham of that. You haven't told him . . he's so dreadfully upset as it is. I've been swearing it had nothing to do with that.

wedgecroft. [Cutting her short, bitingly.] Has a time ever come to you when it was easier to die than to go on living? Oh . . I told Lord Horsham just what I thought.