The vicar looked at her with his eyes wide open, puzzled, like a man who is not quite sure whether he may not be doing something wrong. 'I--really, Miss Lake--pardon me, but this is very irregular, and, in fact, unprecedented!' said Jos. Larkin. 'I think--I suppose, you can hardly be aware, Ma'am, that I am here as the Rev. Mr. Wylder's confidential solicitor, acting solely for him, in a matter of a strictly private nature.' The attorney stood erect, a little flushed, with that peculiar contraction, mean and dangerous, in his eyes. 'Of course, Mr. Wylder, if you, Sir, desire me to leave, I shall instantaneously do so; and, indeed, unless you proceed to sign, I had better go, as my time is generally, I may say, a little pressed upon, and I have, in fact, some business elsewhere to attend to.' 'What _is_ this law-paper?' demanded Rachel, laying the tips of her slender fingers upon it. 'Am I to conclude that you withdraw from your engagement?' asked Mr. Larkin. 'I had better, then, communicate with Burlington and Smith by this post; as also with the sheriff, who has been very kind.' 'Oh, no!--oh, no, Mr. Larkin!--pray, I'm quite ready to sign.' 'Now, William Wylder, you _sha'n't_ sign until you tell me whether this is a sale of your reversion.' The young lady had her white hand firmly pressed upon the spot where he was to sign, and the ring that glittered on her finger looked like a talisman interposing between the poor vicar and the momentous act he was meditating. 'I think, Miss Lake, it is pretty plain you are not acting for yourself here--you have been sent, Ma'am,' said the attorney, looking very vicious, and speaking a little huskily and hurriedly; 'I quite conceive by whom.' 'I don't know what you mean, Sir,' replied Miss Lake, with grave disdain. 'You have been commissioned, Ma'am, I venture to think, to come here to watch the interests of another party.' 'I say, Sir, I don't in the least comprehend you.' 'I think it is pretty obvious, Ma'am--Miss Lake, I beg pardon--you have had some conversation with your _brother_,' answered the attorney, with a significant sneer. 'I don't know what you mean, Sir, I repeat. I've just heard, in the other room, from your wife, William Wylder, that you were about selling your reversion in the estates, and I want to know whether that is so; for if it be, it is the act of a madman, and I'll prevent it, if I possibly can.' 'Upon my word! possibly'--said the vicar, his eyes very wide open, and looking with a hesitating gaze from Rachel to the attorney--'there may be something in it which neither you nor I know; does it not strike you--had we not better consider?' 'Consider _what_, Sir?' said the attorney, with a snap, and losing his temper somewhat. 'It is simply, Sir, that this young lady represents Captain Lake, who wishes to get the reversion for himself.'