418
WYLDER'S HAJVD.
"Did you see Stanley? I have not seen him to-day,"
said Dorcas/
"No, dear; I peeped into the library, but he was not
there; and there are two men writing in the Dutch room,
very busily."
"It must be about the election."
'What election, dear?" asked Eachel.
"There is going to be an election for the county, and
— only think — he intends coming forward. I sometimes
think he is mad, Radie."
"I could not have supposed such a thing. If I
were he, I think I should fly to the antipodes. I should
change my name, sear my features with vitriol, and learn
another language. I should obliterate my past self alto-
gether; but men are so different, so audacious — some
men, at least — and Stanley, ever since his ill-omened ar-
rival at Redman's Farm, last autumn, has amazed and ter-
rified me.'*
"I think, Radie, we have both courage —you have cer-
tainly; you have shown it, darling, and you must cease
to blame yourself. I think you a heroine, Radie; but
you know /see with the wild eyes of the Brandons."
"I am grateful, Dorcas, that you don't hate me. Most
women I am sure would abhor me — yes, Dorcas — abhor
me."
"You and I against the world, Radie !" said Dorcas,
with a wild smile and a dark admiration in her look, and
kissing Rachel again. "I used to think myself brave;
it belongs to women of our blood; but this is no common
strain upon courage, Radie. I've grown to fear Stanley
somehow like a ghost; I fear it is even worse than he
says," and she looked witli a horrible enquiry into Rachel's
"So do ij Dorcas,''' said Rachel, in a firm low whisper,
returning her look as i