176
WYLDER'S HAJVD.
"Well, Radie, you are pleased to be whimsical; and, to
say truth, I was thinking of saying a word or two, just
about an idea that has been in my mind some time, and
which you half divined the first day I saw you at Redman's
Farm. You know you fancied I was thinking of marry-
ing."
"I don't remember that I said so, but I thought it. You
mentioned Caroline Beauchamp, but I don't see how
your visit here could have been connected with that plan."
"But don't you think, Radie, I should do well to marry,
that is, assuming everything to be suitable."
"Well, perhaps, for yourself, Stanley; but —"
"Yes, of course," said Lake; "but the unfortunate
girl, you were going to say — thank you. She's, of
course, very much to be pitied, and you have my leave to
pity her as much as you please."
"I do pity her," said Rachel.
"Thank you again," said Stanley; "but seriously,
Radie, you can be, I think, very essentially of use to me
in this aflair, and you must not refuse."
"Now, Stanley, I will cut this matter short. I can't
serve you. I won't. I don't know the young lady, and I
don't mean to make her acquaintance."
"But I tell you that you cart serve me," retorted Stan-
ley, with a savage glare, and features whitened with pas-
sion, " and you shall serve me; and you do know the
young lady intimately."
"I say, sir, I do not," replied Rachel, haughtily and
fiercely.
'' She is Dorcas Brandon; you know her, I believe. I
came down here to marry her. I had made up my mind
when I saw you first, and I'll carry my point; I always
do. She does not like me, maybe; but she shall. I nev-
er yet resolved to make a woman like me, and failed. You