As he said this Vane pushed the door of the drawing-room open. Sir Arthur and Rayburn had gone in just before him.
"Carol!"
"Vane! and is it really you—you?"
"Yes," he said, taking a few swift strides towards her and for the first time putting his arms round her. "Yes, dear, your brother."
"Really brother, Vane? Do you truly mean it—will you really take me for your sister now that you know everything—I mean all about Cecil and myself?"
"Yes, Carol, and because I do know, because he as a man has told me everything. I am going to marry you soon, and no man, no priest could marry his sister to his friend with more hope for happiness than I shall marry you and Rayburn."
He took hold of her left hand, and stretched out his hand to Rayburn and said:
"Come now, sister and brother, as you are going to be!"
He took their two hands and joined them. Over the two hands he clasped his own, and looking swiftly from one to the other he said:
"Afterwards I will say the words that I cannot speak here." And then, with a sudden change of tone and manner which came as a quick surprise to both Carol and Rayburn, he went on: