She talked familiarly of "Uncle This" or "Cousin That," who had been apparently the idols of her nursery before they had become the heroes of England; and Meadows had much ado to defend himself against her store of anecdote and reminiscence.

"Unfair!" thought Doris, breathlessly watching the contest of wits.

"Oh, if she weren't a woman, Arthur could easily beat her!" But she was a woman, and not at all unwilling, when hard pressed, to take advantage of that fact.
All the same, Meadows was stirred to most unwonted efforts.

He proved to be an antagonist worth her steel; and Doris's heart swelled with secret pride as she saw how all the other voices died down, how more and more people came up to listen, even the young men and maidens,--throwing themselves on the grass, around the two disputants.

Finally Lady Dunstable carried off the honours.