44
WYLDER'S HAJVD.
i
"Why, Radie, you know nothing of the world. Do
you suppose I'm quite demented? Ask a gentleman for
his estate, or his watch, because I know something to his
disadvantage! Why, ha, ha! dear Radie, every man who
has ever been on terms of intimacy with another must know
things to his disadvantage, but no one thinks of telling
them. I don't affect to be angry, or talk romance and
heroics, because you fancy suchx stuff; but I assure you
— when will that old woman give me a cup of tea ? — I
assure you, Radie, there's nothing in it."
Rachel made no reply, but she looked steadfastly and
uneasily upon the enigmatical face and downcast eyes of
the young man.
"Well, I hope so," she said at last, with a sigh, and a
slight sense of relief.
CHAPTER VIII.
IN WHICH CAPTAIN LAKE TAKES HIS HAT AND STICK.
So the young people sitting in the little drawing-room
of Redman's farm pursued their dialogue; Rachel Lake
had spoken last, and it was the Captain's turn to speak
next.
"I)o you remember Miss Beauchamp, Radie?" he
asked, rather suddenly, after a very long pause.
"Miss Beauchamp? Oh! to be sure; you mean little
Caroline - yes, she must be quite grown up by this time
— five years — she promised to be pretty. What of
her?"