One of the most notorious scandals of the Victorian period was the allegation that Sir Charles Dilke, the man most likely to be the next Liberal Prime Minister, was guilty not only of adultery, but of obscene indulgence. True or not his relationships with Lila and her daughter Nia had elements of passion, and the latter's divorce wrecked his career. He was an idealistic and dedicated politician - and he stood in the light of his ambitious and unscrupulous 'friend' Joseph Chamberlain.