Since her marriage she had not hinted to Rachel the subject of their old conversations: burning beneath her feeling about it was now a deep-rooted anger and jealousy. Still she was Stanley's sister, and to be treated accordingly. The whole household greeted her with proper respect, and Dorcas met her graciously, and with all the externals of kindness. The change was so little, that I do not think any but she and Rachel saw it; and yet it was immense. There was a dark room, a sort of ante-room, to the library, with only two tall and narrow windows, and hung with old Dutch tapestries, representing the battles and sieges of men in periwigs, pikemen, dragoons in buff coats, and musketeers with matchlocks--all the grim faces of soldiers, generals, drummers, and the rest, grown pale and dusky by time, like armies of ghosts. Rachel had come one morning to see Dorcas, and, awaiting her appearance, sat down in this room. The door of the library opened, and she was a little surprised to see Stanley enter. 'Why, Stanley, they told me you were gone to Naunton.' 'Oh! did they? Well, you see, I'm here, Radie.' Somehow he was not very well pleased to see her. 'I think you'll find Dorcas in the drawing-room, or else in the conservatory,' he added. 'I am glad, Stanley, I happened to meet you. Something _must_ be done in the matter I spoke of immediately. Have you considered it?' 'Most carefully,' said Stanley, quietly. 'But you have done nothing.' 'It is not a thing to be done in a moment.' 'You can, if you please, do a great deal in a moment' 'Certainly; but I may repent it afterwards.' 'Stanley, you may regret postponing it, much more.' 'You have no idea, Rachel, how very tiresome you've grown.' 'Yes, Stanley, I can quite understand it. It would have been better for you, perhaps for myself, I had died long ago.' 'Well, that is another thing; but in the meantime, I assure you, Rachel, you are disposed to be very impertinent.' 'Very impertinent; yes, indeed, Stanley, and so I shall continue to be until----' 'Pray how does it concern you? I say it is no business on earth of yours.' Stanley Lake was growing angry. 'Yes, Stanley, it _does_ concern me.' 'That is false.' 'True, _true_, Sir. Oh, Stanley, it is a load upon my conscience--a mountain--a mountain between me and my hopes. I can't endure the misery to which you would consign me; you _shall_ do it--immediately, too' (she stamped wildly as she said it), 'and if you hesitate, Stanley, I shall be compelled to speak, though the thought of it makes me almost mad with terror.' 'What is he to do, Rachel?' said Dorcas, standing near the door. It was a very awkward pause. The splendid young bride was the only person on the stage who looked very much as usual. Stanley turned his pale glare of fury from Rachel to Dorcas, and Dorcas said again, 'What is it, Rachel, darling?'