'What d--d nonsense! I really beg your pardon, Radie, but it _is_ precious stuff. You are quite unreasonable; you've no cause to hate him; he dropped you because you dropped him. It was only prudent; he had not a guinea. But now it is different, and he _must_ marry you.' The young lady stared with a haughty amazement upon her brother. 'I've made up my mind to speak to him; and if he won't I promise you he shall leave the country,' said the young man gently, just lifting his yellow eyes for a second with another unpleasant glare. 'I almost think you're mad, Stanley; and if you do anything so insane, sure I am you'll rue it while you live; and wherever he is I'll find him out, and acquit myself, with the scorn I owe him, of any share in a plot so unspeakably mean and absurd.' 'Brava, brava! you're a heroine, Radie; and why the devil,' he continued, in a changed tone, 'do you apply those insolent terms to what I purpose doing?' 'I wish I could find words strong enough to express my horror of your plot--a plot every way disgusting. You plainly know something to Mark Wylder's discredit; and you mean, Stanley, to coerce him by fear into a marriage with your penniless sister, who _hates_ him. Sir, do you pretend to be a gentleman?' 'I rather think so,' he said, with a quiet sneer. 'Give up every idea of it this moment. Has it not struck you that Mark Wylder may possibly know something of you, you would not have published?' 'I don't think he does. What do you mean?' 'On my life, Stanley, I'll acquaint Mr. Wylder this evening with what you meditate, and the atrocious liberty you presume--yes, Sir, though you are my brother, the _atrocious liberty_ you dare to take with my name--unless you promise, upon your honour, now and here, to dismiss for ever the odious and utterly resultless scheme.' Captain Lake looked very angry after his fashion, but said nothing. He could not at any time have very well defined his feelings toward his sister, but mingling in them, certainly, was a vein of unacknowledged dread, and, shall I say, respect. He knew she was resolute, fierce of will, and prompt in action, and not to be bullied. 'There's more in this, Stanley, than you care to tell me. You have not troubled yourself a great deal about me, you know: and I'm no worse off now than any time for the last three years. You've _not_ come down here on _my_ account--that is, altogether; and be your plans what they may, you sha'n't mix my name in them. What you please--wise or foolish--you'll do in what concerns yourself;--you always _have_--without consulting me; but I tell you again, Stanley, unless you promise, upon your honour, to forbear all mention of my name, I will write this evening to Lady Chelford, apprising her of your plans, and of my own disgust and indignation; and requesting her son's interference. _Do_ you promise?'