For, of course, Lady Tyrrell was only drawn into the controversy as a matter of amusement, and possibly as something specially distasteful to the house of Charnock Poynsett; and Cecil was a good deal influenced by the fascination of her example, as well as by the eagerness of Mrs. Duncombe and the charms of the Americans; and above all, they conspired in making her feel herself important, and assuming that she must be foremost in all that was done. She did not controvert the doctrines of Dunstone so entirely as to embrace the doctrines of emancipation, but she thought that free ventilation was due to every subject, most especially when the Member’s wife was the leading lady in bringing about such discussion. The opposition made in the town to Mrs. Duncombe’s sanitary plans, and the contempt with which they had been treated as ladies’ fancies, had given a positive field of battle, with that admixture of right and wrong on either side which is essential to championship. And in truth Cecil was so much more under the influence of Camilla Tyrrell and Bessie Duncombe than under that of any other person, that she was ready to espouse any cause that they did.
How to arrange for the intended instruction was the difficulty, since Wil’sbro’ was without a town-hall, and, moreover, the inhabitants were averse to all varieties of change, either as to the claims of women, the inequality of social laws, the improvement of education, or the comprehension of social science—the regular course which Mrs. Clio W. Tallboys was wont to lecture.
The matter could only be managed by arranging a series of soirées at different houses. Mrs. Duncombe’s rooms were far too small; but if some person of more note—‘some swell’ as she said—would make the beginning, there would be no difficulty in bringing others to follow suit.
“You must do it, Lady Tyrrell,” said Mrs. Duncombe.
“I! If there’s nobody else; but it would come much better from another quarter,” nodding at Cecil.
“Don’t you wish you may get it?” muttered the slang-loving Bessie.
“That’s one point in which we leave you far behind,” said Mrs. Tallboys. “We issue our invitations quite independently of the other members of the household. Each has a separate visiting list.”
“There need be no difficulty,” said Cecil; “all matters of visiting are in my hands. It is necessary in our position; and if Lady Tyrrell thinks it proper that I should give the first party, I will do so.”
“Bravo, what fun!” cried Mrs. Duncombe, clapping her hands. “You won’t get into a jolly row, though?” she added, anxiously.
“I am perfectly sure of my ground,” said Cecil, with the dignity of one to whom a ‘row’ was unheard of. “It is the simple duty of a Member to come forward in promoting free discussion of opinions.”