178
WYLDER'S HJUVD.
and I've no wish to injure you, but I'll do as I have said,
and Chelford shall have a distinct statement under my
hand of everything that has happened. I don't suppose
you wish to be accessary to all this, and therefore it be-
hoves you, Rachel, to do what you can to prevent it.
You'll do all you can; and you can do a great deal. I
know it; I'll do as much for you, Radie! Anything you
like."
"After all that I have done and suffered !" said she,
with a faint smile of unimaginable bitterness; "I did not
think that human wickedness could produce such a brother
as you are."
"Well, it is no news you think of me, and not much
matter, either. I don't see that I am a worse brother than
you are a sister." Stanley Lake was speaking with a
livid intensity. "You see how I'm placed; a ruined man;
with a pistol to my head; what you can do to save me
may amount to nothing, but it may be everything, and
you say you won't try! Now I say you shall, and with
every energy and faculty you possess, or else abide the
consequences."
"And I tell you, sir," replied Rachel, "I know you;
you are capable of anything but of hurting yourself. I'll
never be your slave; though, if I pleased, I might make
you mine. I scorn your threats— I defy you."
Stanley Lake looked transported, and the yellow fires
of his deep-set eyes glared on her, while his lips moved to
speak, but not a word came, and it became a contortion;
he grasped the switch in his hands as if to strike her.
"Take care, sir, Lord Chelford's coming," said the
young lady, haughtily, with a contracted glance of horror
fixed on Lake.
Lake collected himself. He was a man who could do it
pretty quickly; but he had been violently agitated, and
the traces of his fury could not disappear in a moment.