WYLDER'S HAjYD.
375
that sum would not avail to extricate him, even temporari-
ly, from his difficulties. He sees the thing himself now;
and, thanking you most earnestly, he, through me, begs
most gratefully to decline it. In fact, my dear Miss Lake,
he has been in the hands of sharks, harpies ; but I'll beat
about for the money, in the way of loan, and, one way or
another, I am resolved, if the thing's to be done, to get
him straight."
"I am sorry," said Miss Lake, you have had so much
trouble in explaining so simple a matter. I will call early
to-morrow, and see Mr. Wylder."
"Pardon me," said the attorney, "I have to address
myself next to the second portion of your offer, as stated
to me by Mr. W. Wylder, that which contemplates a
residence in his house, and in the respectable bosom, I
may say, of that, in many respects, unblemished family."
Miss Lake stared with a look of fierce enquiry at the
attorney.
"The fact is, Miss Lake, that that is an arrangement
which under existing circumstances I could not think of
advising. I think, on reflection, you will see, that Mr.
Wylder — the Reverend William Wylder and his lady —
could not for one moment seriously entertain it, and that
I, who am bound to do the best I can for them, could not
dream of advising it."
"I fancy it a matter of total indifference, sir, what
you may and what you may not advise in a matter beyond
your province — I don't understand, or desire to under-
stand you — and thinking your manner impertinent and
offensive, I beg that you will now be so good as to leave
my house."
Miss Rachel was very angry — although nothing but
her bright color and the vexed flash of her eye showed it.
"I were most unfortunate — most unfortunate indeed