WYLDER'S HAJVD.
129
like; only it would not do for any one to open it, and
run up to the room as they might, so don't forget to se-
cure the door when I go. I think that is all. Ta-ta,
dear Tamar. I'll see you in the morning."
As he walked down the mill-road toward the town, he
met Lord Chelford on his way to make enquiry about Ra-
chel at Redman's Farm; and Lake, who, as we know, had
just seen his sister, gave him all particulars.
Chelford, like the lawyer, had heard from Mark Wyl-
der that morning — a few lines, postponing his return.
He merely mentioned it, and made no comment; but Lake
perceived that he was annoyed at his unexplained absence.
Lake dined at Brandon that evening, and though look-
ing ill, was very good company, and promised to bring an
early report of Rachel's convalescence in the morning.
I have little to record of next day, except that Larkin
received another London letter. Wylder plainly wrote
in great haste, and merely said : —
"I shall have to wait a day or two longer than I yes-
terday thought, to meet a fellow from whom I am to re-
ceive something of importance, rather, as I think, to me.
Get the deeds ready, as I said in my last. If I am not
in Gylingden by Monday, we must put oiF the wedding for
a week later—there is no help for it. You need not talk
of this. I write to Chelford to say the same."
This note was unceremonious, and still shorter. Lord
Chelford would have written at once to remonstrate with
Mark on the unseemliness of putting off his marriage so
'capriciously, or. at all events, so mysteriously — Miss
Brandon not being considered, nor her friends consulted.
But Mark had no fancy to be worried, when he had made
up his mind, by prosy remonstrances; he shut out the
whole tribe of letter-writers by simply omitting to give
them his address.