196
WYLDER'S HAJVD.
Chelford, who is most anxious to trace Mark Wylder,
having to surrender — I think they call it — a " trust"
is not it — or something — I really don't understand these
things — to him, and not being able to find out his address,
Mr. Larkin wrote to Sir Julius, whom Chelford did not
find at home, to ask him for a description of Mark, to as-
certain whether he had disguised himself; and Sir Julius
wrote to Chelford such an absurd description of poor Mark,
in doggrel rhyme — so like —> his odd walk, his great
whiskers, and everything. Chelford does not like person-
alities, but he could not help laughing. Are you ill, dar-
ling?"
Though she was walking on beside her companion, Ra-» -
chel looked on the point of fainting.
"My darling, you must sit down; you do look very
ill. I forgot my promise about Mark Wylder. How
stupid I have been; and perhaps I have distressed you."
"No, Dorcas, I am pretty well; but I have been ill,
and I am a little tired; and, Dorcas, I don't deny it, I am
amazed, you tell me such things. That letter of attorney,
or whatever it is, must not be acted upon. It is incredible.
It is all horrible wickedness. Mark Wylder's fate is
dreadful, and Stanley is the mover of all this. Oh! Dor-
cas, darling, I wish I could tell you everything. Some
day I may be — I am sick and terrified."
They had sat down, by this time, side by side, on the
crisp bank. Each lady looked down, the one in suffering,
the other in thought.
"You are better, darling; are not you better?" said
Dorcas, laying her hand on Rachel's and looking on her
with a melancholy gaze.
"Yes, dear, better — very well " —answered Rachel,
looking up, but without an answering glance at her cous-
in.