886
WYLDER'S HAJVD.
is, I think, a sister of Flora's. You are looking pale —
you have not been ill? No! I'm very glad you say so.
Sit down for a moment and listen, darling. And first I'll
tell you, upon my honor, what Rachel has been worrying
me about."
Dorcas sate beside him on the sofa, and he placed his
slender arm affectionately round her waist.
"You must know, Dorkie, that before his sudden de-
parture, Mark Wylder promised to lend William, his
brother, a sum sufficient to relieve him of all his pressing
debts."
"Debts! I never knew before that he had any," ex-
claimed Dorcas. "Poor William! I am so sorry."
"Well, he has, like other fellows, only he can't get
away as easily, and he has been very much pressed since
Mark went, for he has not yet lent him a guinea, and in
fact Rachel says she thinks he is in danger of being reg-
ularly sold out. "Well, you must know that / was the
sole cause of Mark Wylder's leaving the country."
"You, Stanley!"
"Yes, i, Dorkie. I believe I thought I was doing a
duty; but really I was nearly mad with jealousy, and
simply doing my utmost to drive a rival from your pres-
ence. And yet, without hope for myself, desperately in
love."
Dorcas looked down and smiled oddly; it was a sad and
bitter smile, and seemed to ask whither has that desperate
love, in so short a time, flown?
"I know I was right. He was a stained man, and was
liable at any moment to be branded. It was villainous in
him to seek to marry you. I told him at last that, unless
he withdrew, your friends should know all. I expected he
would show fight, and that a meeting would follow; and
I really did not much care whether I were killed or not.