Yet I thought I could, even in that dim glimpse, discern how the silent subterranean current of her thoughts was flowing; like other representatives of a dynasty, she had studied the history of her race to profit by its errors and misfortunes. There was to be no weakness or passion in her reign. The princess by this time was seated on the ottoman, and chose to read a letter, thus intimating, I suppose, that my audience was at an end; so I took up a book, put it down, and then went and looked over Wylder's shoulder, and made my criticisms--not very novel, I fear--upon the pages he turned over; and I am sorry to say I don't think he heard much of what I was saying, for he suddenly came out with-- 'And where is Stanley Lake now, do you know?' 'I saw him in town--only for a moment though--about a fortnight ago; he was arranging, he said, about selling out.' 'Oh! retiring; and what does he propose doing then?' asked Wylder, without raising his eyes from his book. He spoke in a sort of undertone, like a man who does not want to be overheard, and the room was quite large enough to make that sort of secrecy easy without the appearance of seeking it. 'I have not an idea. I don't think he's fit for many things. He knows something of horses, I believe, and something of play.' 'But he'll hardly make out a living that way,' said Wylder, with a sort of sneer or laugh. I thought he seemed put out, and a little flushed. 'I fancy he has enough to live upon, without adding to it, however,' I said. Wylder leaned back in his low chair, with his hands stuffed in his pockets, and the air of a man trying to look unconcerned, but both annoyed and disconcerted nevertheless. I tell you what, Charlie, between you and me, that fellow, Stanley, is a d----d bad lot. I may be mistaken, of course; he's always been very civil to me, but we don't like one another; and I don't think I ever heard him say a good word of any one, I dare say he abuses you and me, as he does everyone else.' 'Does he?' I said. 'I was not aware he had that failing.' 'Oh, yes. He does not stick at trifles, Master Stanley. He's about the greatest liar, I think, I ever met with,' and he laughed angrily. I happened at that moment to raise my eyes, and I saw Dorcas's face reflected in the mirror; her back was towards us, and she held the letter in her hand as if reading it, but her large eyes were looking over it, and on us, in the glass, with a gaze of strange curiosity. Our glances met in the mirror; but hers remained serenely undisturbed, and mine dropped and turned away hastily. I wonder whether she heard us. I do not know. Some people are miraculously sharp of hearing. 'I dare say,' said Wylder, with a sneer, 'he was asking affectionately for me, eh?' 'No; not that I recollect--in fact there was not time; but I suppose he does not like you less for what has happened; you're worth cultivating now, you know.'