214 WYLDER'S HAJVD on duty beside old Lady Chelford, whom it was important to propitiate, and who was in the middle of a story — an extraordinary favor from her ladyship; and he had the vexation to see Lord Chelford palpably engaging Miss Brandon for the next dance. When she returned, she was a little tired, and doubtful whether she would dance any more — certainly not the next dance. So he resolved to lie in wait, and anticipate any new suitor who might appear. His eyes, however, happened to wander, in an unlucky moment, to old Lady Chelford, who instantaneously sig- nalled to him with her fan. "— the woman," mentally exclaimed Lake, telegraph- ing, at the same time, with a bow and a smile of deferential alacrity, and making his way through the crowd as deftly as he could; "what a —fool I was to go near her." So the Captain had to assist at the dowager lady's sup- per; and not only so, but in some sort at her digestion also, which she chose should take place for some ten min- utes in the chair that she occupied at the supper table. When he escaped, Miss Brandon was engaged once more — and to Sir Harry Bracton, for a second time. And moreover, when he again essayed his suit, the young lady had peremptorily made up her mind to dance no more that ni^ht. How can Dorcas endure that man," thought Rachel, as she saw Sir Harry lead her to her seat, after a second dance. "Handsome, but so noisy and foolish, and wicked; and is not he vulgar, too?" But Dorcas was not demonstrative. Her likings and dislikings were always more or less enigmatical. Still Rachel Lake fancied that she detected signs, not only of tolerance, but of positive liking, in her haughty cousin's