She smiled. “You are not very gallant, sir. You must say: ‘Anything in my power I shall be happy to do for you’; or, more simply: ‘The favour is yours for the asking.’”
He replied in some amusement: “I mistrust you most when you are cajoling, Miss Taverner. What is this favour?”
“Why, only that you will contrive to get Perry elected to the Whip Club,” said Judith in her most dulcet voice.
“My instinct for danger seldom fails me,” remarked his lordship. “Certainly not, Miss Taverner.”
She sighed. “I wish you might. He can think of nothing else.”
“Recommend him to approach his friend Fitzjohn. He might put him up, even though I shall blackball him.”
“You are very disagreeable. Mr. Fitzjohn is as bad. He says Perry is cow-handed.”
“I imagine he might, but I can see no need for you to use the expression.”
“Is it very vulgar?” inquired Judith. “I thought it excessively apt.”
“It is extremely vulgar,” said the Earl crushingly. “Well,” said Judith, preparing to drive on, “I am very glad I am not your daughter, Lord Worth, for you are a great deal too strict in your notions, I think.”