LUBIN.  He wouldnt know how to do it, my dear.  Burge has a reputation as a profligate—­

BURGE [starting] Lubin:  this is monstrous.  I—­

LUBIN [continuing]—­but he is really a model of domesticity.  His name is coupled with all the most celebrated beauties; but for him there is only one woman; and that is not you, my dear, but his very charming wife.

BURGE.  You are destroying my character in the act of pretending to save it.  Have the goodness to confine yourself to your own character and your own wife.  Both of them need all your attention.

LUBIN.  I have the privilege of my age and of my transparent innocence.  I have not to struggle with your volcanic energy.

BURGE [with an immense sense of power] No, by George!

FRANKLYN.  I think I shall speak both for my brother and myself, and possibly also for my daughter, if I say that since the object of your visit and Mr Joyce Burge’s is to some extent political, we should hear with great interest something about your political aims, Mr Lubin.

LUBIN [assenting with complete good humor, and becoming attentive, clear, and businesslike in his tone] By all means, Mr Barnabas.  What we have to consider first, I take it, is what prospect there is of our finding you beside us in the House after the next election.

FRANKLYN.  When I speak of politics, Mr Lubin, I am not thinking of elections, or available seats, or party funds, or the registers, or even, I am sorry to have to add, of parliament as it exists at present.  I had much rather you talked about bridge than about electioneering:  it is the more interesting game of the two.

BURGE.  He wants to discuss principles, Lubin.

LUBIN [very cool and clear] I understand Mr Barnabas quite well.  But elections are unsettled things; principles are settled things.

CONRAD [impatiently] Great Heavens!—­

LUBIN [interrupting him with quiet authority] One moment, Dr Barnabas.  The main principles on which modern civilized society is founded are pretty well understood among educated people.  That is what our dangerously half-educated masses and their pet demagogues—­if Burge will excuse that expression—­

BURGE.  Dont mind me.  Go on.  I shall have something to say presently.

LUBIN.—­that is what our dangerously half-educated people do not realize.  Take all this fuss about the Labor Party, with its imaginary new principles and new politics.  The Labor members will find that the immutable laws of political economy take no more notice of their ambitions and aspirations than the law of gravitation.  I speak, if I may say so, with knowledge; for I have made a special, study of the Labor question.

FRANKLYN [with interest and some surprise] Indeed?