WYLDER'S HJUVD.
103
very brotherly in his look as he peered into her pale, sharp
features, during the process. It was dark and pallid scru-
tiny of a familiar of the Holy Office, bringing a victim
back to consciousness.
She was quickly better.
"There, don't mind me," she said sharply; and getting
up she looked down at her dress and thin shoes, and seem-
ing to recollect herself, she took the candle he had just set
down, and went swiftly to her room.
Gliding without noise from place to place, she packed a
small black leather bag with a few necessary articles,
changed her dress'quickly, put on walking boots, a close
bonnet and thick veil, and taking her purse, she counted
over its contents, and then standing in the midst of the
room looked round it with a great sigh, and strange look,
as if it was all new to her. And she threw back her veil,
and going hurriedly to the toilet, mechanically surveyed
herself in the glass. And she looked fixedly on the pale
features presented to her, and said —
"Rachel Lake, Rachel Lake! what are you now?
A few minutes later her brother, who had been busy
down stairs, put his head in. and asked —
"Will you come with me now, Radie, or do you prefer
to wait here?"
"I'll stay here — that is, in the drawing-room," she
answered, and the face was withdrawn.
In the little hall Stanley looked again at his watch, and
getting quietly out, went swiftly through the tiny garden,
and once upon the mill-road, ran at a rapid pace down to-
wards the town.
The long street of Gylingden stretched dim and silent
before him. Slumber brooded over the little town, and
his steps sounded sharp and hollow among the houses. He
slackened his pace, and tapped sharply at the little window