WYLDER'S HAJVD.
361
except Rachel, were aghast. The attorney's small eye
glanced over the ground and hearthstone, where the bits
were strewn. He had nothing for it but to submit to for-
tune with his best air.
"You are not aware, Miss Lake of the nature of your
act, and of the consequences to which you have exposed
yourself, madam. Your interference, your violent inter-
ference, madam, may be attended with most serious con-
quences to my reverend client, for which, of course, you
constituted yourself fully responsible, when you entered
on the course of unauthorised interference, which has re-
sulted in destroying the articles of agreement, for his
protection; and retarding the transmission of the docu-
ment, by at least four-and-twenty hours, to London.
You may, madan, I regret to observe, have ruined my
client."
"Saved him, I hope."
"And run yourself, madam, into a very serious scrape."
"Upon that point you have said quite enough, sir.
Dolly, William, don't look so frightened; you'll both live
to thank me for this."
Mr. Wylder, I shall have the document prepared again
from the draft. You'll see to that, Mr. Buggs, please;
and perhaps it will be better that you should look in at
the Lodge."
When he mentioned the Lodge, it was in so lofty a way
that a stranger would have supposed it something very
handsome indeed, and one of the sights of the county.
"Say, about nine o'clock to-morrow morning. Fare-
well, Mr. Wylder, farewell. I regret the enhanced ex-
pense — I regret the delay — I regret the risk — I re-
gret, in fact, the whole scene. Farewell, Mrs. Wylder."
And with a silent bow to Rachel — perfectly polished,
perfectly terrible — he withdrew.
18