"The sooner the better. I'm a thousand times obliged. You're a little brick, and I shall never forget it."
"I shall ask for a return some day," she said.
"And you shall have it, no matter what. Is there nothing more?"
"Only this. You know Mr. Lambert is somewhat aged, very blind—don't forget that—and a trifle deaf; so, though I assure you I never said so, I'm quite sure he is under the impression that you're going to marry—me."
"But I don't understand."
"Mr. Lambert informed me that in the case of a person of importance, or one whose parents were living, he couldn't perform the ceremony privately—that is, as privately as you would wish; but as regarded myself, an orphan—you see?"
"But the name?"
"Are we not both Isabelles? Besides, he is old, and deaf, and nearly blind, and the bride and I will both be closely veiled, under the circumstances. If we should appear to have signed our names in the wrong places in the registry—why, it's a stupid blunder that any one might make on such a trying occasion."
"But how account for Lady Isabelle's presence?"
"He asked me concerning the witnesses, and I promised that her Ladyship would be there. As for the other?"