"Possibly into a more reasonable man," said Lucian, gravely.

"I hope so," said Lydia; "but I prefer a man who is interested in
sport to a gentleman who is interested in nothing."

"Much might indubitably be said from that point of view. But it is
not necessary that Lord Worthington should waste his energy on
horse-racing. I presume you do not think political life, for which
his position peculiarly fits him, unworthy his attention."

"Party tactics are both exciting and amusing, no doubt. But are they
better than horse-racing? Jockeys and horse-breakers at least know
their business; our legislators do not. Is it pleasant to sit on a
bench--even though it be the treasury bench--and listen to either
absolute nonsense or childish disputes about conclusions that were
foregone in the minds of all sensible men a hundred years ago?"

"You do not understand the duties of a government, Lydia. You never
approach the subject without confirming my opinion that women are
constitutionally incapable of comprehending it."

"It is natural for you to think so, Lucian. The House of Commons is
to you the goal of existence. To me it is only an assemblage of
ill-informed gentlemen who have botched every business they have
ever undertaken, from the first committee of supply down to the last
land act; and who arrogantly assert that I am not good enough to sit
with them."

"Lydia," said Lucian, annoyed; "you know that I respect women in
their own sphere--"