358
WYLDER'S H.1JVD.
red Buggs, and the sad and bilious young gentleman, stood
by to witness the execution of the cleric's autograph.
"William Wylder, I am so glad I'm in time," said
Rachel, rustling across the room.
"There," said the attorney, very peremptorily, and
making a little furrow in the thick paper with the seal end
of his pencil.
"Stop, William Wylder, don't sign; I've a word to
say — you must pause."
"If it affects our business, Miss Lake, I do request
that you address yourself to me; if not, may I beg. Miss
Lake, that you will defer it for a moment."
"William Wylder, lay down that pen; as you love
your little boy, lay it down, and hear me," continued Miss
Lake.
The Vicar looked at her with his eyes wide open, puz-
zled, like a man who is not quite sure whether he may not
be doing something wrong.
"I — really, Miss Lake — pardon me, but this is
very irregular, and, in fact, unprecedented!" said Jos
Larkin. "I think — I suppose, you can hardly be
aware, ma'am, that I am here as the Rev. Mr. Wylder's
confidential solicitor, acting solely for him, in a matter of
a strictly private nature."
The attorney stood erect, a little flushed, with that pe-
culiar contraction, mean and dangerous, in his eyes.
"Now, William Wylder, you shan't sign until you
tell me whether this is a sale of your reversion."
The young lady had her white hand firmly pressed upon
the spot where he was to sign, and the ring that glittered on
her finger looked like a talisman interposing between the
poor Vicar and the momentous act he was meditating.
"I think, Miss Lake, it is pretty plain you are not act-
ing for yourself here — you have been sent, ma'am,"