'I was thinking, Rachel, you could advise me, if you would, you are so clever, you know.' 'Advise!' said Rachel, softly; but with a wild and bitter rage ringing under it. 'I did advise when it was yet time to profit by advice. I bound you even by a promise to take it, but you know how it ended. You don't want my advice.' 'But really I do, Radie. I quite allow I was wrong--worse than wrong--but where is the use of attacking me now, when I'm in this dreadful fix? I took a wrong step; and what I now have to do is to guard myself, if possible, from what I'm threatened with.' She fancied she saw his pale face grow more bloodless, even in the shadow where he sat. 'I know you too well, Stanley. You want _no_ advice. You never took advice--you never will. Your desperate and ingrained perversity has ruined us both.' 'I wish you'd let me know my own mind. I say I do--(and he uttered an unpleasant exclamation). Do you think I'll leave matters to take their course, and sit down here to be destroyed? I'm no such idiot. I tell you I'll leave no stone unturned to save myself; and, in some measure, _you_ too, Radie. You don't seem to comprehend the tremendous misfortune that menaces me--_us_--_you_ and me.' And he cursed Mark Wylder with a gasp of hatred not easily expressed. She winced at the name, and brushed her hand to her ear. 'Don't--don't--_don't_,' she said, vehemently. 'Well, what the devil do you mean by refusing to help me, even with a hint? I say--I _know_--all the odds are against us. It is sometimes a long game; but unless I'm sharp, I can't escape what's coming. I _can't_--you can't--sooner or later. It is in motion already--d-- him--it's coming, and you expect me to do everything alone.' 'I repeat it, Stanley,' said Rachel, with a fierce cynicism in her low tones, 'you don't want advice; you have formed your plan, whatever it is, and that plan you will follow, and no other, though men and angels were united to dissuade you.' There was a pause here, and a silence for a good many seconds. 'Well, perhaps, I _have_ formed an outline of a plan, and it strikes me as very well I have--for I don't think you are likely to take that trouble. I only want to explain it, and get your advice, and any little assistance you can give me; and surely that is not unreasonable?' 'I have learned one secret, and am exposed to one danger. I have taken--to save you--it may be only a _respite_--one step, the remembrance of which is insupportable. But I was passive. I am fallen from light into darkness. There ends my share in your confidence and your fortunes. I will know no more secrets--no more disgrace; do what you will, you shall never use me again.' 'Suppose these heroics of yours, Miss Radie, should contribute to bring about--to bring about the worst,' said Stanley, with a sneer, through which his voice trembled. 'Let it come--my resolution is taken.'