WYLDER'S HAJVD.
43
"There may he some use, a purpose in which neither
my feelings nor interests have any part. I venture to say,
Stanley, your plans are all for yourself. You want to
extort some advantage from Wylder; and you think, in
his present situation, about to marry Dorcas, you can use
me for the purpose. Thank Heaven! sir, you committed
for once the rare indiscretion of telling the truth; and
unless you make me the promise I require, I will take,
before evening, such measures as will completely excul-
pate me. Once again, do you promise?"
"Yes, Radie; ha, ha! of course I promise."
"Upon your honor?"
"Upon my honor — there."
"I believe, you gentlemen dragoons observe that oath
— I hope so. If you choose to break it you may give me
some trouble, but you shan't compromise me. And now,
Stanley, one word more. I fancy Mr. Wylder is a reso-
lute man—none of the Wylders wanted courage."
Captain Lake was by this time smiling his sly, sleepy
smile upon his French boots.
"If you have formed any plan which depends upon
frightening him, it is a desperate one. All I can tell you,
Stanley, is this, that if I were a man, and an attempt made
to extort from me any sort of concession by terror, I would
shoot the miscreant who made it through the head, like a
highwayman."
"What the devil are you talking about?" said he.
"About your danger" she answered. "For once in
your life listen to reason. Mark Wylder is as prompt as
you, and has ten times your nerve and sense; you are more
likely tc have committed yourself than he. Take care;
he may retaliate your threat by a counter move more
dreadful. I know nothing of your doings, Stanley —
Heaven forbid! but be warned, or you'll rue it."