‘I honour her and you more than I ever did before.’
‘That’s your way,’ said Theodora, with the bright smile that was an act of oblivion for all her waywardness. ‘All you value is a slave with no will of her own.’
‘One who has a will, but knows how to resign it.’
‘That you may have the victory.’
‘No, but that you may be greater than he that taketh a city.’
Theodora raised her eyes much softened. She never liked Percy so well as when he made these direct attacks on her faults in general; when it came to a combat over the individual questions, it was a different matter.
‘I am very glad you have given this up,’ Percy proceeded. ‘It is a positive relief to my mind to find that you can yield. Do not be ashamed of it, it is the best thing you have done a long time.’
‘But, Percy, I did not do it on principle; I did it because Violet would have written to papa.’
‘There’s the true sort of spirit! Brave enough to confront even you for the right, yet yielding her own will and wish at the first moment. I think more highly of Mrs. Martindale the more I hear of her.’
‘And you wish me to be like her?’ said Theodora, watching for the blunt negative.