; her own property. Her husband could
not interdict a sale.
    Redworth addressed himself to her smothered antagonism. »Even if he had
rights, as they are termed ... I think you might count on their not being
pressed.«
    »I have been told of illness.« She tapped her foot on the floor.
    »His present state of health is unequal to his ordinary duties.«
    »Emma Dunstane is fully supplied with the latest intelligence, Mr. Redworth.
You know the source.«
    »I mention it simply ...«
    »Yes, yes. What I have to protest is, that in this respect I am free. The
Law has me fast, but leaves me its legal view of my small property. I have no
authority over me. I can do as I please in this, without a collision, or the
dread of one. It is the married woman's perpetual dread when she ventures a
step. Your Law originally presumed her a China-footed animal. And more, I have a
claim for maintenance.«
    She crimsoned angrily.
    Redworth showed a look of pleasure, hard to understand. »The application
would be sufficient, I fancy,« he said.
    »It should have been offered.«
    »Did you not decline it?«
    »I declined to apply for it. I thought - But Mr. Redworth, another thing,
concerning us all: I want very much to hear your ideas of the prospects of the
League; because I know you have ideas. The leaders are terrible men; they
fascinate me. They appear to move with an army of facts. They are certainly
carrying the country. I am obliged to think them sincere. Common agitators would
not hold together, as they do. They gather strength each year. If their
statistics are not illusory - an army of phantoms instead of one of facts; - and
they knock at my head without admission, I have to confess; - they must win.«
    »Ultimately, it is quite calculable that they will win,« said Redworth; and
he was led to discourse of rates and duties and prohibitive tariffs to a woman
surprisingly athirst, curious for every scrap of intelligence relating to the
power, organization, and schemes of the League. »Common sense is the secret of
every successful civil agitation,« he said. »Rap it unremittingly on crowds of
the thickest of human heads, and the response comes at last to sweep all before
it. You may reckon that the country will beat the landlords - for that is our
question.