42
WYLDER'S HJUVD.
my horror of your plot —a plot every way disgusting.
You plainly know something to Mark Wylder's discredit;
and you mean, Stanley, to coerce him by fear into a mar-
riage with your penniless sister, who hates him. Give
up every idea of it this moment. lias it not struck you
that Mark Wylder may possibly know something of you,
you would not have published?"
"I don't think he does. What do you mean?"
"On my life, Stanley, I'll acquaint Mr. Wylder thia
evening with what you meditate, and the atrocious liber-
ty you presume to take with my name — unless you
promise, upon your honor, now and here, to dismiss for
ever the odious and utterly resultless scheme."
Captain Lake looked very angry after his fashion, but
said nothing. He could not at any time have very well
defined his feelings toward his sister, but mingling in
them, certainly, was a vein of unacknowledged dread,
and, shall I say, respect. He knew she was resolute,
fierce of will, and prompt in action, and not to be bullied.
"There's more in this, Stanley, than you care to tell
me. You have not troubled yourself a great deal about
me, you know; and I'm no worse off now than any time
for the last three years. You've not come down here
on my account — that is, altogether; and be your plans
what they may, you shan't mix my name in them; and
I tell you again, Stanley, unless you promise, upon your
honor, to forbear all mention of my name, I will write
this evening to Lady Chelford, apprising her of your
plans, and of my own disgust and indignation; and re-
questing her son's interference. Do you promise?"
"There's no such haste, Radie. I only mentioned it.
If you don't like it, of course it can lead to nothing, and
there's no use in my speaking to Wylder, and so there's
an end of it."