260
WYLDER'S HAJVD.
she had done, he laughed. The laugh, though low, sound-
ed wild and hollow in that dark solitude.
"Really, dear Tamar, you must excuse my laughing.
You dear old witch, how the plague could you take any
such frightful nonsense into your head? I do assure you,
upon my honor, I never heard of so ridiculous a blunder.
Only that I know you are really fond of us, I should nev-
er speak to you again. I forgive you. But listen no
more to other people's conversation. I could tell you how
it really stands now, only I have not time; hut you'll
take my word of honor for it, you have made the most
absurd mistake that ever an old fool tumbled into. No, Ta-
mar, I can t stay any longer now, but I'll tell you the
whole truth when next I go to Redman's Farm. In the
meantime, you must not plague poor Miss Radie with
your nonsense. She has too much already to trouble her,
though of quite another sort. Good night, foolish old
Tamar."
"Oh, Master Stanley, it will take a deal to shake my
mind; and if it be so, as I say, what's to be done next —
what's to be done — oh, what is to be done?"
"I say good night, old Tamar; and hold your tongue,
do you see."
"Oh, Master Stanley, Master Stanley; my poor child
— my child that I nursed ! — any thing would be better
than this. Sooner or later judgment will overtake you,
so sure as you persist in it. I heard what Miss Radie
said; and is not it true — is not it cruel — is not it fright-
'ful to go on?"
"You don't seem to be aware, my good Tamar, that
you have been talking slander all this while, and might
be sent to gaol for it. There, I'm not angry — only you're
a fool. Good night."
He shook her hand, and jerked it from him with sup-