'Well, Radie, you are pleased to be whimsical; and, to say truth, I _was_ thinking of saying a word or two, just about as idea that has been in my mind some time, and which you half divined--you are so clever--the first day I saw you at Redman's Farm. You know you fancied I was thinking of marrying.' 'I don't remember that I said so, but I thought it. You mentioned Caroline Beauchamp, but I don't see how your visit _here_ could have been connected with that plan.' 'But don't you think, Radie, I should do well to marry, that is, assuming everything to be suitable?' 'Well, perhaps, for _yourself_, Stanley; but----' 'Yes, of course,' said Lake; 'but the unfortunate girl, you were going to say--thank you. She's, of course, very much to be pitied, and you have my leave to pity her as much as you please.' 'I do pity her,' said Rachel. 'Thank you, again,' said Stanley; 'but seriously, Radie, you can be, I think, very essentially of use to me in this affair, and you must not refuse.' 'Now, Stanley, I will cut this matter short. I can't serve you. I won't. I don't know the young lady, and I don't mean to make her acquaintance.' 'But I tell you that you _can_ serve me,' retorted Stanley, with a savage glare, and features whitened with passion, 'and you _shall_ serve me; and you _do_ know the young lady intimately.' 'I say, Sir, I do _not_,' replied Rachel, haughtily and fiercely. 'She is Dorcas Brandon; you know _her_, I believe. I came down here to marry her. I had made up my mind when I saw you first and I'll carry my point; I always do. She does not like me, maybe; but she _shall_. I never yet resolved to make a woman like me, and failed. You need not look so pale; and put on that damned affected look of horror. I may be wild, and--and what you please, but I'm no worse than that brute, Mark Wylder, and you never turned up your eyes when he was her choice; and I knew things about him that ought to have damned him, and she's well rid of a branded rascal. And now, Rachel, you know her, and you must say a good word for me. I expect your influence, and if you don't use it, and effectually, it will be worse for you. You women understand one another, and how to get a fellow favourably into one another's thoughts. So, listen to me, this is a vital matter; indeed, it is, Radie. I have lost a lot of money, like a--fool, I suppose; well, it is gone, and this marriage is indispensable. I must go in for it, it is life or death; and if I fail through your unkindness (here he swore an impious oath) I'll end all with a pistol, and leave a letter to Chelford, disclosing everything concerning you, and me, and Mark Wylder.' I think Rachel Lake was as near fainting as ever lady was, without actually swooning. It was well they had stopped just by the stem of a great ash tree, against which Rachel leaned for some seconds, with darkness before her eyes, and the roar of a whirlpool in her ears.