'Now, Dorkie, I have told you all. Who is to advise you, if not your husband? Trust my sure conviction, and promise me, Dorcas, that you will not hesitate to join me in averting, by a sacrifice we shall hardly feel, a really stupendous blow.' He kissed her hand, and then her lips, and he said-- 'You _will_, Dorkie, I _know_ you will. Give me your promise.' 'Stanley, tell me once more, are you really quite frank when you tell me that you apprehend no personal injury from these people--apart, I mean, from the possibility of Mr. Larkin's conspiring to impeach our rights in favour of Mr. Wylder?' 'Personal injury? None in life, my darling.' 'And there is really no secret--nothing--_tell_ your wife--nothing you fear coming to light?' 'I swear again, nothing. _Won't_ you believe me, darling?' 'Then, if it be so, Stanley, I think we should hesitate long before selling any part of the estate, upon a mere conjecture of danger. You or I may over-estimate that danger, being so nearly affected by it. We must take advice; and first, we must consult Chelford. Remember, Stanley, how long the estate has been preserved. Whatever may have been their crimes and follies, those who have gone before us never impaired the Brandon estate; and, without full consideration, without urgent cause, I, Stanley, will not begin.' 'Why, it is only Five Oaks, and we shall have the money, you forget,' said Stanley. 'Five Oaks is an estate in itself; and the idea of dismembering the Brandon inheritance seems to me like taking a plank from a ship--all will go down when that is done.' 'But you _can't_ dismember it; it is only a life estate.' 'Well, perhaps so; but Chelford told me that one of the London people said he thought Five Oaks belonged to me absolutely.' 'In that case the inheritance _is_ dismembered already.' 'I will have no share in selling the old estate, or any part of it, to strangers, Stanley, except in a case of necessity; and we must do nothing precipitately; and I must insist, Stanley, on consulting Chelford before taking any step. He will view the question more calmly than you or I can; and we owe him that respect, Stanley, he has been so very kind to us.' 'Chelford is the very last man whom I would think of consulting,' answered Stanley, with his malign and peevish look. 'And why?' asked Dorcas.