"The only thing to do, is to give me a right to speak in the matter."
"You have a right to speak," said Dolly. "Only"——
"I have no right to speak with authority. You must give me the authority."
"How?" said Dolly shyly.
"There is but one way. Don't you see, if I have the right to say where you shall be, the rest all follows?"
"How can you?" said Dolly.
He took her hand gently. "You must marry me before I go," said he. "It is the only way, Dolly. Don't be startled; you shall have all the time you want to get accustomed to the thought. I am not going to hurry you. The only difference is, that instead of being married the day I get to you in America, we will have the ceremony performed here, the day I leave you. Not till then, Dolly. But then, of course, you must go to America to meet me; and if I know anything of Mr. and Mrs. Copley, where you must be, they will choose to be also. I think I can get another week or two of leave, so that it will not seem so very sudden."
Dolly had flushed and paled a little. She sat looking on the ground in silence. Mr. Shubrick let her have a while to herself, and then asked her what she thought of his plan?
"I don't know," said Dolly faintly. "I mean," she added,—"perhaps it is the best way. I don't know but it is the only way. I don't believe mother will like it."
"We will talk her over," said the young officer joyfully. "You said she wishes to go home?"