£03
WYLDER'S HJUVD.
without evidence, that Dorcas, for some cause or caprice,
had ceased to think of Stanley as she once did.- And the
announcement, without preparation or apparent courtship,
that her brother had actually won this great and beautiful
heiress, and that, just emerged from the shades of death,
lie. a halfrruined scapegrace, was about to take his place
among the magnates of the county, towered before her
like an incredible and disastrous illusion of magic.
Stanley's uneasiness lest Rachel's conduct should com-
promise them increased. He grew more nervous about
his relation between him and Mark Wylder, in proportion
as the world grew more splendid and prosperous for him.
Where is the woman who will patiently acquiesce in the
reserve of her husband who shares his confidence with
another? How often had Stanley Luke sworn to her there
was no secret; that he knew nothing of Mark Wylder be-
yond the charge of his money, and making a small payment
to an old Mrs. Dutton, in London, by his direction, and
that beyond this, he was as absolutely in the dark as she
or Chelford?
What, then, did Rachel mean by all that escaped her,
when he was in danger?
"How the — could he tell? He really believed she
was a little — ever so little — crazed. He supposed she,
like Dorcas, fancied he knew everything about Wylder.
She was constantly hinting something of the kind; and
begging of him to make a disclosure of what? It was
enough to drive one mad, and would make a capital
farce. Rachel has a ridiculous way of talking like an
oracle, and treating as settled fact every absurdity she
fancies She is very charming and clever, of course, so
long as she speaks of the kind of thing she understands.
But when she tries to talk of serious business — poor
Radie ! — she certainly does talk nonsense! It is the
most tiresome thing you can conceive."
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