Shortly after." "If she really is to be married," said the judge, "I wish she'd hurry up about it.

I hate these mysteries." "You can't hate them more than I do," said Meldon, "and you can rely upon me to bring things to their crisis, their preliminary crisis--the actual marriage can't take place for a fortnight--as soon as possible." "Do.

By the preliminary crisis I suppose you mean the engagement." "Certainly.

I shall use every effort to bring that off this afternoon.
Now that I know you're as keen on it as I am myself, I think I may pledge you my word that it will come off this afternoon.

But, if so, I must leave you now.