WYLDER'S HAJVD.
167
Chelford, was seen next Sunday afternoon, serene and
unchanged, in the gr^at carved oak Brandon pew, raised
like a dais two feet at least above the level of mere Chris-
tians, who frequented the family chapel. When the good
Vicar, the Rev. William Wylder, at three o'clock, per-
formed his holy office in reading desk and pulpit, the good
folk from Gylingden assembled in force, saw nothing no-
ticeable in the demeanor or appearance of the great Bran-
don heiress. 4 No shadow of trouble on that calm marble
beauty, no light of joy, but a serene superb indifference.
Of course there was some satire in Gylingden; but,
in the main, it was a loyal town, and true to its princess.
Mr. Wylder's settlements were not satisfactory, it was
presumed, or the young lady could not bring herself to
like him, or however it came to pass. one way or another,
that sprig of willow inevitably to be mounted by hero or
heroine upon such equivocal occasions was placed by the
honest town by no means in her breast, but altogether in
his button-hole.
Gradually, in a more authentic shape, information
traceable to old Lady Chelford, through some of the old
county families who visited at Brandon, made it known
that Mr. Wylder's affairs were not at present by any
means in so settled a state as was supposed; and that a
long betrothal not being desirable on the whole, Miss
Brandon's relatives thought it advisable that the engage-
ment should terminate, and had so decided, Mr. Wylder
having, very properly, placed himself absolutely in their
hands.
As for Mark, it was presumed, he had gone into volun-
tary banishment.
It was know to be quite final, and as the lady evinced
no cha,grin and affected no unusual spirits, but held,
swanlike and majestic, the even tenor of her way, there