“And now, Morley Vernon, listen to me,” she said, as if he were about to hear the conclusion of the whole matter. “If you have any spark of honor left in you, you will undo what you have already done. This resolution must be defeated in the Senate to-day; I am down here to see that it is done. We go to the State House after breakfast, and these ladies will assist me in laying before each member of the Senate this matter in its true and exact light. As for our rights,” she paused and looked at him fixedly, “as for our rights, I think we are perfectly capable of preserving them.”
Her look put that question beyond all dispute.
“And now,” she resumed, “you would better take a little breakfast yourself; you look as if you needed strength.”
Vernon rose. He stood for an instant looking at Amelia, but she glanced at him only casually.
“I suppose, Amelia, I shall see you later in the morning?”
“I suppose so, Mr. Vernon,” she said. “But pray do not let me keep you from rejoining your companion.” She was quite airy, and lifted her coffee-cup with one little finger quirked up higher than he had ever seen it before.
He went back to where Miss Greene sat, and where his breakfast lay.
“My goodness!” he said, seating himself. “I’ve had a time!”
“I should imagine so,” said Miss Greene.
She was just touching her napkin to her lips with a final air. She carefully pushed back her chair, and rose from the table.