Wylder’s Hand

‘His lordship had left the room when she returned, and Mr. Lar­com said he was with Lawyer Larkin in the library.’

‘Mr. Larkin can wait. Tell Lord Chelford I wish very much to see him here.’

‘You look at me, Radie, as if I were a monster – or monstress, I should say – whereas I am only a Brandon. Don’t you remember how our great ancestor, who fought for the House of York, changed suddenly to Lancaster, and how Sir Richard left the King and took part with Cromwell, not for any particular advantage, I believe, or for any particular reason even, but for wickedness and wounded pride, perhaps.’

‘I don’t quite see your meaning, Dorcas. I can’t understand how your pride has been hurt; but if Stanley had any, I can well imagine what torture it must have endured; wretched, wicked, pun­ished fool!’

‘You suspect what they fought about, Radie!’

‘You look, Radie, as if you thought I had managed it – whereas I really did not care.’

‘Ah, Dorothy! I’m so glad to see you here!’ and she put a present in her hard, crumpled hand.

‘Are you better, dear?’ whispered Rachel.

‘Yes, dear.’

She thought he was going to say more, but he remained silent, and she recollected that he ought not to speak, and also that she had that to say which must be said.

There is something awful always in the spectacle of such a sick­bed as that beside which Rachel had just stood. But not quite so dreadful is the sight as are the imaginings and the despair of ab­sence. So reassuring is the familiar spectacle of life, even in its sub­sidence, so long as bodily torture and mental aberration are absent.

After dinner, when the dowager’s place knew her no more, Lord Chelford resumed his talk with Larkin.

to act. Altogether, your lordship will perceive that the situation is one of considerable, indeed very great embarrassment, as respects me. There is, however, one satisfactory circumstance disclosed in his last letter. His return, he says, cannot be delayed beyond a very few months, perhaps weeks; and he states, in his own rough way, that he will then explain the motives of his conduct to the entire satisfaction of all those who are cognizant of the measures which he has adopted – no more claret, thanks – no more – a delicious wine – and he adds, it will then be quite understood that he has acted neither from caprice, nor from any motive other than self­preservation. I assure you, my lord, that is the identical phrase he employs – self-preservation. I all along suspected, or, rather, I mean, supposed, that Mr. Wylder had been placed in this matter under coercion – a – a threat.’

Lord Chelford walked with him to the steps. It was a beautiful night – very little moon, but that and the stars wonderfully clear and bright, and all things looking so soft and airy.

‘I wonder what his lordship thinks. He was very close – very’ ru­minated Larkin; ‘no distinct ideas about it possibly; and did not seem to wish to lead me to the subject. Can he knowanything? Eh, can he possibly? Those high fellows are very knowing often – so much on the turf, and all that – very sharp and very deep.’

He was thinking of a certain noble lord in diffi culties, who had hit a client of his rather hard, and whose affairs did not refl ect much credit upon their noble conductor.