WYLDER'S HAJVD.
147
can't — sooner or later. It is in motion already — d —
him — it's coming, and you expect me to do everything
alone."
"I repeat it, Stanley," said Rachel, with a fierce cyn-
icism in her low tones, "you don't want advice: you have
formed your plan, whatever it is, and that plan you will
follow, and no other, though men and angels were united
to dissuade you."
There was a pause here, and a silence for a good many
seconds.
"Well, perhaps, I have formed an outline of a plan,
and it strikes me as very well I have — for I don't think
you are likely to take that trouble. I only want to ex-
plain it, and get your advice, and any little assistance
you can give me; and surely that is not unreasonable?"
"I have learned one secret, and am exposed to one dan-
ger. I have taken — to save you — it may be only a
respite — one step, the remembrance of which is insup-
portable. But I was passive. I am fallen from light into
darkness. There ends my share in your confidence and
your fortunes. I will know no more secrets — no more
disgrace; do what you will, you shall never use me
again."
"Suppose these heroics of yours, Miss Radie, should
contribute to bring about — to bring about the worst,"
said Stanley, with a sneer, through which his voice trem-
bled.
"Let it come — my resolution is taken."
i Stanley walked to the window, and in his easy way, as
he would across a drawing-room to stand by a piano, and
he looked out upon the trees, whose tops stood motionless
against the darkened sky, like masses of ruins. Then he
came back as gently as he had gone, and stood beside his
sister; she could not see his yellow eyes now as he stood
with his back to the window.