He owned that he was on “their side.”
“And you will support us in the Friday.”
“I am going to do my best.”
“But not because I ask you!” laughed Camelia, who still felt a little soreness since that uncomfortable interview where she had so much surprised herself. She was still rather resentful, and sorry that her tears might have implied confession. She was conscious now of a touch of defiance behind the light smiling of her eyes as he owned that her asking formed no compulsory element in his decision.
“Don’t you think that Mr. Rodrigg may be malleable?” Camelia pursued, “Sir Arthur is to convert him, you know.”
“You or Sir Arthur?” She laughed at this. “Would it be terribly wicked if I tried my hand at it?”
“It would be terribly useless,” Perior remarked; but Camelia looked placidly unconvinced.
“I am justified in trying, am I not?”
“That depends;” Perior was decidedly cautious.
“Since I believe thoroughly in the bill; since only intellectual forces will be brought to bear on our stodgy friend,—there is nothing of the lobbyist in it.”