WYLDER'S HAjYD. 417
eyes upon the note, and then he folded, or rather crump-
led it up, and stuffed it into his pocket, and continued his
talk; but it was now plain to me there was something more
on his mind, and he was thinking of the shabby letter he
had just received.
"But, no matter; the election was the pressing topic,
and Lake was soon engaged in it again.
As I could be of no possible use in local details, I left
the council of war sitting, intending a stroll in the grounds.
In the hall, I met the mistress of the house, looking
very handsome, but with a certain witch-like beauty, very
pale, something a little haggard in her great, dark eyes,
and a strange, listening look. Was it watchfulness? was
it suspicion? She was dressed gravely but richly, and
received me kindly — and, strange to say, with a smile
that, yet, was not joyful.
"I hope she is happy. Lake is such a beast; I hope
he does not bully her."
In truth, there was in her exquisite features the traces
of that mysterious misery and fear which seemed to fall
wherever Stanley Lake's ill-omened confidences were giv-
en.
I walked down one of the long alleys, with tall, close
hedges of beech, as impenetrable as cloister walls to
sight, and watched the tench basking and flickering in the
clear pond, and the dazzling swans sailing majestically
along...
r of her boudoir, Rachel Lake met Dorcas.
'glad, Radie, dear, you are come. You must
ir things, and stay. You must not leave me
We'll send home for whatever you wan't; and
you won't leave me, Radie, I'm certain."
f l'll stay, dear, as you wish it," 4aid Rachel, kissing
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