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