Mrs. Farrant. [With perfect diplomacy] If the Church must be disestablished ... better done by its friends than its enemies.
Frances Trebell. Still I don't gather he's pleased with his dear cousin Charles's conduct.
Mrs. Farrant. [Shrugging.] Oh, lately, Lord Charles has never concealed his tactics.
Frances Trebell. And that speech at Leeds was the crowning move I suppose; just asking the Nonconformists to bring things to a head?
Mrs. Farrant. [Judicially.] I think that was precipitate.
Walter Kent. [Giving them Lord Charles's oratory.] Gentlemen, in these latter days of Radical opportunism!—You know, I was there ... sitting next to an old gentleman who shouted "Jesuit."
Frances Trebell. But supposing Mallaby and the Nonconformists hadn't been able to force the Liberals' hand?
Mrs. Farrant. [Speaking as of inferior beings.] Why, they were glad of any cry going to the Country!
Frances Trebell. [As she considers this.] Yes ... and Lord Charles would still have had as good a chance of forcing Lord Horsham's. It has been clever tactics.
Lucy Davenport. [Who has been listening, sharp-eyed.] Contrariwise, he wouldn't have liked a Radical Bill though, would he?