‘He has you there, Theodora,’ said Arthur.
‘I don’t know what he is driving at,’ said Theodora.
‘I am trying to find out whether Miss Martindale has the power of confessing that she was in a scrape.’
‘That you may triumph,’ said Theodora.
‘No, not for the sake of triumph, but of old times,’ he answered, in a lower, more serious tone.
Theodora’s face softened, and drawing nearer, she asked, ‘How are old times to be satisfied by such an admission?’
‘Because then candour used to boast of conquering pride,’ said Percy, now speaking so as to be heard by her alone.
‘Well. It was becoming a predicament, and you rescued me very ingeniously. There, will that content you?’ said Theodora, with one of the smiles the more winning because so rare. I am perfectly ready to own myself in the wrong when I see it.’
‘When you see it,’ said Percy, drily.
‘I was wrong just now not to confess my obligation, because Arthur teased and triumphed; but I don’t see why you all treat me as if I was wrong to set myself to subdue the child’s obstinacy.’