WYLDER'S HAJVD.
413
"And what makes you think that, Rachel, darling?"
"I can't define — I've no proofs to give you. One
knows things, sometimes. I perceived it — and I think
I can't he mistaken; and now I've said all, and pray ask
me no more upon that point."
Rachel spoke with a hurried and fierce impatience, that
rather startled her companion.
It is wonderful that she showed her state of mind so little.
There was, indeed, something feverish, and at times, even
fierce, in her looks and words. But few would have guess-
ed her agony, as she pleaded with the Vicar and his wife;
or the awful sense of impending consequences that closed
over her like the shadow of night, the moment the excite-
ment of her pleading was over.
But her warnings and entreaties, I have said, were not
quite thrown away; for, although the Vicar was inflexible,
she had prevailed with his wife, who, at parting, again
promised Rachel, that if she could do it, the sale should
be stopped.
When I returned to Brandon, a few mornings later,
Captain Lake received me joyfully at his solitary break-
fast. He was in an intense electioneering excitement.
The evening papers for the day before lay on the break-
fast table.
"A move of some sort suspected — the opposition
prints all hinting at tricks and ambuscades. They are
whipping their men up awfully. Old Wattles, not half-
recovered, went by the early train yesterday, Wealdon
tells me. It will probably kill him. Stower went up
the day before. Lee says he saw him at Charteris. He
never speaks — only a vote — and a fellow that never ap-
pears till minute." /
"Is Larkin here?" I asked. J
"Oh, no — run up to town, f I'm so glad he's away —