Why should you cry out at a proof now and then of what's
always in the hearts of most of us?
FARRANT. [_Plaintively._] Now, for God's sake, Trebell ... O'Connell has
been going on like that.
TREBELL. Well then ... think of what matters.
BLACKBOROUGH. Of you and your reputation in fact.
FARRANT. [_Kindly._] Why do you pretend to be callous?
_He strokes_ TREBELL'S _shoulder, who shakes him off impatiently._
TREBELL. Do you all mean to out-face the British Lion with me after
to-morrow ... dare to be Daniels?
BLACKBOROUGH. Bravado won't carry this off.
TREBELL. Blackborough ... it would immortalize you. I'll stand up in my
place in the House of Commons and tell everything that has befallen soberly
and seriously. Why should I flinch?
FARRANT. My dear Trebell, if your name comes out at the inquest--
TREBELL. If it does!... whose has been the real offence against Society ...
hers or mine? It's I who am most offended ... if I choose to think so.
BLACKBOROUGH. You seem to forget the adultery.
TREBELL. Isn't Death divorce enough for her? And ... oh, wasn't I right?...
What do you start thinking of once the shock's over? Punishment ... revenge
... uselessness ... waste of me.
FARRANT. [_With finality._] If your name comes out at the inquest, to talk
of anything but retirement from public life is perfect lunacy ... and you
know it.
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