“I think that’s what the accusers want, and the accused wants,” said Mr. Bagby, adding, “I think that’s what everyone needs, that’s what the commonwealth deserves and that’s what the accusers deserve.”

And Delegate Charniele L. Herring, who is the chairwoman of the House Democratic Caucus and a former state party chairwoman, said she did not want any legislative inquiry to have an effect on a potential criminal investigation.

“I’m concerned about how it could impact a prosecution,” Ms. Herring said.

Yet the lawyer for Ms. Watson, who claims Mr. Fairfax raped her in 2000 while they were students at Duke University, indicated otherwise and ratcheted up the pressure on the state’s lawmakers to open an inquiry into the lieutenant governor.

“Meredith Watson asks the Virginia Legislature to hold hearings, regardless of what they are called, and to reject a secret and delayed proceeding,” said Nancy Erika Smith, the lawyer. “Both victims of his sexual assault have agreed to testify and they will produce witnesses and documents to show their honesty and good character. Please do not allow these women to be further victimized by delay and defamation.”

The tensions among Democrats here reached a simmer late Sunday night when the party’s House caucus dialed into a conference call.

One after another, a handful of black lawmakers spoke up to express their anger at Mr. Hope over what they see as his haste and making an already excruciating dilemma even more painful by trying to force them to take a public position on impeachment this week, according to three Virginia Democrats directly familiar with the call who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss party matters.