402
WYLDER'S HAJVD.
There was reproach, but love too, in the deep soft glance
she threw upon him.
"You must promise me not to be frightened at what I
am going to tell you," said Lake.
She heard him with sudden panic, and a sense of cold
stole over her. She knew something was coming — the
secret she had invoked so long — and she was appalled.
"Don't be frightened, darling. It is necessary to tell
you; but it is really not much when you hear me out.
You'll say so when you have quite heard me. So you
won't be frightened?"
She was gazing straight into his wild yellow eyes, fasci-
nated, with a look of expecting terror.
"You are nervous, darling," he continued, laying his
hand on hers. "Shall we put it off for a little? You are
frightened." .
"Not much frightened, Stanley," she whispered.
"Well, we had better wait. I see, Dorcas, you are
frightened and nervous. Don't keep looking at me; look
at something else, can't you? You make yourself nervous
that way. I promise, upon my honor, I'll not say a word
about it till you bid me."
"I know, Stanley — I know."
"Then, why won't you look down, or look up, or look
any way you please, only don't stare at me so."
"Yes — oh, yes," and she shut her eyes.
"I'm sorry I began," he said, pettishly. "You'll make
a fuss. You've made yourself quite nervous; and I'll
wait a little."
"0 ! no, Stanley, now— for Heaven's sake, now. I
was only a little startled; but I am quite well again. Is
it anything about marriage? Oh, Stanley, in mercy, tell
me was there any other engagement?"
"Nothing, darling —nothing on earth of the sort;"