Horsham. [With nice judgment.] In using the term Any Foreknowledge, Farrant, you may be more severe on him than you wish to be.
Farrant, unappreciative, continues.
Farrant. Otherwise ... well, we must admit, Cantelupe, that if it hadn't been for the particular consequence of this it wouldn't be anything to be so mightily shocked about.
Cantelupe. I disagree.
Farrant. My dear fellow, it's our business to make laws and we know the difference of saying in one of 'em you may or you must. Who ever proposed to insist on pillorying every case of spasmodic adultery? One would never have done! Some of these attachments do more harm ... to the third party, I mean ... some less. But it's only when a menage becomes socially impossible that a sensible man will interfere. [He adds quite unnecessarily.] I'm speaking quite impersonally, of course.
Cantelupe. [As coldly as ever.] Trebell is morally responsible for every consequence of the original sin.
Wedgecroft. That is a hard saying.
Farrant. [Continuing his own remarks quite independently.] And I put aside the possibility that he deliberately helped her to her death to save a scandal because I don't believe it is a possibility. But if that were so I'd lift my finger to help him to his. I'd see him hanged with pleasure.
Wedgecroft. [Settling this part of the matter.] Well, Farrant, to all intents and purposes he didn't know and he'd have stopped it if he could.
Farrant. Yes, I believe that. But what makes you so sure?