126
WYLDER'S HAJVD.
So the girl dried her hands — she was washing the tea-
cups — and in a twinkling was equipped and on her way
to Gylingden.
CHAPTER XXII.
IN WHICH CAPTAIN LAKE MEETS A FRIEND NEAR THE
WHITE HOUSE.
Lake had no very high opinion of men or women, gen-
tle or simple.
"She listens, I dare say, the little spy," said he.
"No, Master Stanley! She's a good little girl."
"She quite believes her mistress is up stairs — eh?
"Yes; the Lord forgive me — I'm deceiving her."
He did not like the tone and look which accompanied
this.
"Now, my good old Tamar, you really can't be such
an idiot as to fancy there can be any imaginable wrong in
keeping that prying little slut in ignorance of that which
in no wise concerns her. This is a critical matter, do you
see, and if it were known in this place that your young
mistress had gone away as she has done — though quite
innocently — upon my honor — I think it would blast her.
You would not like, for a stupid crotchet, to ruin poor
Radie, I fancy."
"I'm doing just what you both bid me," said the old
woman.
"You sit up stairs chiefly?"
She nodded sadly.
"And keep the hall door shut and bolted?"
Again she nodded.