WYLDER'S HJUVD.
223
had a few minutes' confidential talk, during which the
Major looked grave and consequential, and carried his
head high, nodding now and then with military decision.
Major Jackson whispered an abrupt word or two in his
ear, and threw back his head, eyeing Lake with grave
and sly defiance. Then came another whisper and a
wink; and the Major shook his hand, briefly but hard,
and the gentlemen parted.
Lake strolled into the ball-room, and on to the upper
end, where the "best" people are and suddenly he was
in Miss Brandon's presence.
"I've been very presumptuous, I fear to-night, Miss
Brandon," he said, in his peculiar low tones. "I've
been very importunate — I prized the honor I sought so
very much, I forgot how little I deserved it. And I do
not think it likely you'll see me for a good while — pos-
sibly for a very long time. I've therefore ventured to
come, merely to say good-bye — only that, just — good-
bye. And — and to beg that flower " — and he plucked
it resolutely from her bouquet—"which I will keep
while I live. Good-bye, Miss Brandon."
And Captain Stanley Lake, that pale apparition was
gone.
I do not know at all how Miss Brandon felt at this in-
stant; for I never could quite understand that strange
lady. But I believe she looked a little pale as she grave-
ly adjusted the flowers so audaciously violated by the
touch of the cool young gentleman.
I can't say whether Miss Brandon deigned to follow
him with her dark, dreamy gaze. I rather think not.
And three minutes afterwards he had left the Town Hall.
The Brandon party did not stay very late. And they
dropped Rachel at her little dwelling. How very silent
Dorcas was, thought Rachel, as they drove from Gyling-