178
WYLDER'S H.1JVD.
a parcel of those clever and elaborate forgeries. with which
Lake had last furnished him, with a pencilled note on
each, directing the date and town at which it was to be
despatched. Years after, when Jim was emigrating, I
believe Lord Cbelford gave him a handsome present.
Lord Chelford was advised by the friend whom he con-
sulted that he need not make those painful particulars
public, affecting only a dead man, and leading to no result.
Lake admitted that Rachel had posted the letters in
London, believing them to be genuine, for he pretended
that they were Wylder's. It is easy to look grave over
poor Rachel's slight, and partly unconscious, share in the
business of the tragedy. But what girl of energy and
strong affections would have had the melancholy courage
to surrender her brother to public justice under the cir-
cumstances? Lord Chelford, who knew all, says that
she "acted nobly."
The good Vicar is a great territorial magnate now; but
his pleasures and all his ways are still simple. He never
would enter Brandon as its master, and never will, during
Dorcas Brandon's lifetime. And although with her friend,
Rachel Lake, she lives abroad, chiefly in Italy and Swit-
zerland, Brandon Hall, by the command of its proprietor,
lies always at her disposal.
I don't know whether Rachel Lake will ever marry.
The tragic shadow of her life has not chilled Lord Chel-
ford's strong affection. Neither does the world know or
suspect anything of the matter. Old Tamar died three
years since, and lies in the pretty little churchyard of
Gylingden. And Mark's death is, by this time, a nearly
forgotten mystery.
Jos Larkin's speculations have not turned out luckily.
The trustees of Wylder, a minor, tried, as they were ad-
vised they must, his title to Five Oaks, by ejectment. A
point had been overlooked — as sometimes happens — and