116 WYLDER'S HAJVD. %
"I am answerable only for my part of it; and I think
my questions very much to the purpose," said the young
lady, in her low, silvery tones.
"I don't question your good opinion, Miss Brandon, of
your own discretion; but / can't see any profit in now
discussing an engagement of more than two months' stand-
ing, or a marriage, which is fixed to take place only ten
days hence. And I think, sir (glancing again at me,) it
must strike you a little oddly, that I should be invited, in
your presence, to discuss family matters with Miss Dor-
cas Brandon?"
I paused long enough to allow Miss Brandon to speak,
but she did not choose to do so, thinking, I suppose, it
was my business.
"I believe I ought to have withdrawn a little," I said,
very humbly; and old Lady Chelford at the word shot a
gleam of contemptuous triumph at Miss Dorcas; but I
would not acquiesce in the dowager's abusing my conces-
sion, to the prejudice of that beautiful and daring young
lady —" I mean, Lady Chelford, in deference to you, who
are not aware, as Miss Brandon is, that I am one of Mr.
Wylder's oldest and most intimate friends; and at his re-
quest, and with Lord Chelford's approval, have been ad-
vised with, in detail, upon all the arrangements connected
with the approaching marriage.''
"I am not going, at present, to say any more upon
these subjects, because Lady Chelford prefers deferring
our conversation," said this very odd young lady; 41 but
there is nothing which either she or I may say, which I
wish to conceal from any friend of Mr. Wylder's."
The idea of Miss Brandon's seriously thinking of with-
drawing from her engagement with Mark Wylder, I con-
fess never entered my mind. Lady Chelford, perhaps,
knew more of the capricious and daring character of the