13& WYLDER'S HAJVD.
Dorcas' large eyes rested upon her -with a grave enquiry,
and then Miss Brandon looked down in silence for a while
on the carpet, and was thinking a little sternly, maybe,
and with a look of pain, still holding Rachel's hand, she
said, with a sad sort of reproach in her tone,
"Rachel, dear, you have not told my secret?"
"No, indeed, Dorcas — never, and never will; and I
think, though I have learned to fear death, I would rather
die than let Stanley even suspect it."
She spoke with a sudden energy, which partook of fear
and passion, and flushed her thin cheek, and made her
languid eyes flash.
"Thank you, Rachel, my cousin Rachel, my only
friend. I ought not to have doubted you," and she kissed
her again. "Chelford had a note from Mr. Wylder this
morning — another note — his coming delayed, and some-
thing of his having to see some person who is abroad,"
continued Dorcas, after a little pause. "You have heard,
of course, of Mr. Wylder's absence?"
"Yes, something—everything," said Rachel, hurriedly,
looking frowningly at a flower which she was twirling in
her fingers.
"He chose an unlucky moment for his departure. I
meant to speak to him and end all between us; and I
would now write, but there is no address to his letters. I
think Lady Chelford and her son begin to think there is
more in this oddly-timed journey of Mr. Wylder's than
first appeared. When I came into the parlor this morning
I knew they were speaking of it If he does not return in
a day or two, Chelford, I am sure, will speak to me, and
then I shall tell him my resolution."
"Yes," said Rachel.
"I don't understand his absence. I think they are
puzzled, too. Can you conjecture why he is gone?"