400
WYLDER'S HAJVD.
rection, ts he read it. She addressed herself on the con-
trary, altogether to her Lilliputian white lap-dog, Snow,
and pltyed with his silken ears; and chatted with him as
ladies will.
A sealed envelope broken. That scounderel, Larcom,
krew perfectly it was meant for me. He was on the point
of speaking his mind, which would hardly have been
pleasant to hear, upon this piece of detective impertinence
of his wife's. He could have smashed all the glass upon
the table. But he looked serene, and leaned back with
the corner of Rachel's note between two fingers. It was
a case in which he clearly saw he must command himself.
CHAPTER LXIII.
IN THE DUTCH ROOM
His heart misgave him. He felt that a crisis was
coming; and he read —
"I cannot tell you, my poor brother, how miserable I
am. I have just learned that a very dangerous person
has discovered more about that dreadful evening than we
believed know to anybody in Gylingden. I am subjected
to the most agonizing suspicions and insults. Would to
Heaven I were dead! But living, I cannot endure my
present state of mind longer. To-morrow morning I will
see Dorcas — poor Dorcas ! — and tell her all. I am
weary of urging you, in vain, to do so. It would have
been much better. But although, after that interview, I
shall, perhaps, never see her more. 1 shall yet be happier,