The voice, though low, was energetic enough to reach Margot and Mervyn. Edred actually obeyed without another word; and as the door closed behind him, Dorothea turned to meet two smiling faces.
"Never was better advice given," uttered Mervyn. "I have a mind to follow it myself. Margot—be kind! All the world will buzz about our ears directly. Don't you think you ought, as a duty, to keep watch outside the study-door? Just for five minutes!"
"That would be a double kindness, I suppose! Well—just for five minutes!" and Margot too left the room.
Dorothea, occupied still with Dolly, did not see through this move, till she found herself alone with Mervyn, felt her hands imprisoned in his, and heard him say—
"We have only five minutes! Not a moment to lose! Dorothea—if anybody in the world understands me, it is yourself. Do you know me well enough—to—"
Then she knew what was coming, and she did not shrink from it. Thanks to Isabel's cutting of the tangled knot, she had no hesitation as to what answer she might or would give.
Within the specified five minutes, Dorothea had become the affianced wife of Mervyn; and within half-an-hour, Dolly was the affianced wife of the less expeditious Edred.
"Nothing could have been better managed. It really is delightful all round," declared Isabel to Margot, dallying in her room late that night. "I always knew the Claughtons would be charmed. Emmeline is hard to please, but she really does take to Dorothea. And as for Colonel Tracy, I believe he wants nothing more than to get her off his hands."
"Now, Issy!"
"You know what I mean. He is an odd man, and he can't help it, I suppose. But I am sure Dolly and Dorothea look the picture of happiness. I believe Dorothea will be the making of Mervyn. He is a nice fellow, though Emmeline underrates him to such an extent. I wonder what Edred's friend Mrs. Effingham will say?"