Catherine.
Do you think it will be impossible for him to stand again?
Colby.
Quite. And rightly. No man’s obliged to go into Parliament. If he does it’s his duty to keep clear of scandal.
[Catherine gives a very slight start, and when she speaks her voice is not quite steady.
Catherine.
That might be very difficult. A man might be an object of scandal, and yet be perfectly innocent. Supposing—a malicious person brought an action for divorce against him. It might be merely an attempt at blackmail. It would be monstrous to punish him for something that wasn’t his fault.
Colby.
D’you honestly think that’s a possible case? If a man is shot at—it’s true he may not be technically guilty—but he can hardly be blameless. If a case can be made out at all against him he must have done something very foolish.
[Catherine does not answer. She is terrified at what he says.