WYLDER'H HAJVD.
83
after another, wrecks the daughters of our family. Here
I stand, forwarned, with my eyes open, determinedly fol-
lowing in the funereal footsteps of those who have gone
their way before me. These jewels all go back to Mr.
Wylder. He never can be anything to me. I was, I
thought, to build up our house. I am going, I think, to
lay it in the dust. With the spirit of the insane, I feel the
spirit of a prophetess, too, and I see the sorrow that awaits
me. You will see."
"Dorcas, darling, you are certainly ill. What is the
matter?"
"No, dear Rachel, not ill, only may be agitated a little.
You must not touch the bell — listen to me; but first
promise, so help you Heaven, you will keep my se-
cret.'' 0
"I do promise, indeed Dorcas. I swear I'll not repeat
one word you tell me.''
"It has been a vain struggle. I know he's a bad man,
a worthless man — selfish, cruel, maybe. Love is not blind
with me, but quite insane. He does not know, nor you,
nor any one; and now, Rachel, I tell you what was un-
know to all but myself and Heaven — looking neither for
counsel, nor for pity, nor for sympathy, but because I
must, and you have sworn to keep my secret. I love
your brother. Rachel, you must try to like me."
She threw her arms round her cousin's neck, and
Rachel felt in her embrace the vibration of an agony.
She was herself so astonished that for a good while she
could hardly collect her thoughts or believe her senses.
Was it credible? Stanley! whom she had received with
a coldness, if not aversion, so marked, that, if he had a
spark of Rachel's spirit, he would never have approached
her more! Then came the thought — perhaps they un-
derstood one another, and that was the meaning of Stanley's
\jnexpected visit?