258
WYLDER'S HAJVD.
thing to you, one day, for weal or woe, to hearken to her
words now, Master Stanley."
"Why, Tamar, haven't I told you I'm ready to listen
to you. I'll go and see you — upon my honor I will —
to-morrow, or next day, at the Dell; what's the good of
stopping me here?"
"Because, Master Stanley, something told me 'tis the
best place; we're quiet, and you're more like to weigh my
words here — and you'll be alone for a while after you
leave me, and can ponder my advice as you walk home by
the path."
"Well, whatever it is, I suppose it won't take very long
to say — let us walk on to the stone there, and then I'll
stop and hear it — but you must not keep me all night,'
he said, very peevishly.
It was only twenty steps further on, and the woods re-
ceded round it, so as to leave an irregular amphitheatre of
some sixty yards across; and Captain Lake, glancing
from the corners of his eyes, this way and that, without
raising or turning his face, stopped listlessly at the time-
worn white stone, and turning to the old crone, who was
by his side, he said,
"Well, then, you have your way; but speak low, please,
if you have anything unpleasant to say."
Tamar laid her hand upon his arm again; and the old
woman's face afforded Stanley Lake no clue to the coming
theme. Its expression was quite as usual — not actually
discontent or peevishness, but crimped and puckered all
over with unchanging lines of anxiety and suffering. Nei-
ther was there any flurry in her manner — her bony arm
and discolored hand, once her fingers lay upon his sleeve,
did not move — only she looked very earnestly in his face
as she spoke.
"You'll not be angry, Master Stanley, dear? though