over them? That was in 1868. To-day, fifty-four Labour Members
sit in Parliament. At the next election they will hold the
balance.

ELIZABETH Ah, if we could only hold out THAT sort of hope to them!

[ANNYS enters. She is in outdoor costume. She kisses PHOEBE,
shakes hands with the other two. ANNYS's age is about twenty-five.
She is a beautiful, spiritual-looking creature, tall and graceful,
with a manner that is at the same time appealing and commanding.
Her voice is soft and caressing, but capable of expressing all the
emotions. Her likeness to her younger sister PHOEBE is of the
slightest: the colouring is the same, and the eyes that can flash,
but there the similarity ends. She is simply but well dressed.
Her soft hair makes a quiet but wonderfully effective frame to her
face.]

ANNYS [She is taking off her outdoor things.] Hope I'm not late.
I had to look in at Caxton House. Why are we holding it here?

PHOEBE Mamma's instructions. Can't tell you anything more except
that I gather the matter's important, and is to be kept secret.

ANNYS Mamma isn't here, is she?

PHOEBE [Shakes her head.] Reaches St. Pancras at two-forty.
[Looks at her watch.] Train's late, I expect.

[HAKE has entered.]