"Mervyn! I'm speaking of Edred, of course. You haven't supposed that I meant Mervyn all the while!"
Dorothea stood mute; her eyes unwontedly bright.
"You didn't think Dolly cared for Mervyn!" exclaimed Isabel. "You couldn't—possibly!"
"I suppose it was stupid of me, but I really did!"
Isabel stood looking with puzzled eyes. "I don't know what I have said to make you so happy," she said.
"Don't ask me anything, please," begged Dorothea in answer. "Don't say any more. Only let me see Dolly for a few minutes,—and if I can persuade her to go into the study for an hour, don't put any difficulties in the way. I have my reasons: and I must not explain."
"Dolly to go into the study!"
"Yes. It will be all right, only please just let it be so. I want to see Dolly alone. I will not repeat a word that you have said."
Two minutes later, Dorothea, vividly conscious that Isabel had cut a Gordian knot, was kneeling beside Dolly's couch.
"Dolly, I have something to propose," she said softly. "Dolly, listen to me. Margot thought you were too tired to come down among us all to-day. But I want you not to mind being tired. I want you to manage just to get to the study sofa for an hour."