Perigal.

I wish I could persuade you to pause before you take such an irrevocable step.

Catherine.

But why should you care?

Perigal.

We’ve been in for six years. We’re dissolving Parliament at once. I don’t know if we shall get in again. It’ll be a very close shave. We can’t afford to risk a couple of seats....

Catherine.

A couple?

Perigal.

The Chief Whip tells me that your husband proposes to lodge a counter petition.