She felt a childish pleasure in the memory of Mr.Barton's discomfiture; and as to Mr.Marsham, it was she, and not her beliefs, not the great Imperial "cause" which had been beaten.

How could she expect to hold her own with the professional politician when it came really to business?
In her heart of hearts she knew that she would have despised Oliver Marsham if he had not been able to best her in argument.

"If it had been papa," she thought, proudly, "that would have been another story!" Nevertheless, as she sat meekly under the hands of her maid, smiles "went out and in," as she remembered the points where she had pressed him hard, had almost overcome him.

An inclination to measure herself with him again danced within her.

Will against will, mind against mind--her temperament, in its morning rally, delighted in the thought.
And all the time there hovered before her the living man, with his agreeable, energetic, challenging presence.