WYLDER'S HAJVD.
"purely she is woman enough to be fussed a little about
her marriage?"
"Oh, dear, no! she takes the whole affair with a queen-
like and supernatural indifference. She is either a fool or
a very great philosopher, and there is something grand in
the serene obscurity that envelopes her," and Rachel
laughed a very little.
"I must, I suppose, pay my respects; but to-morrow
will be time enough."
Old Tamar had glided in while they were talking, and
placed the little tea equipage on the table unnoticed, and
the captain was sipping his cup of tea, and inspecting the
pattern, while his sister amused him.
"This place, I suppose, is confoundedly slow, is not it?
Do they entertain the neighbors ever at Brandon?"
"Sometimes, when old Lady Chelford and her son are
staying there."
"But the neighbors can't entertain them, I fancy, or
you. What a dreary thing a dinner party made up of such
people must be — like " JEsop's Fables," where the cows
and sheep converse.
"And sometimes a wolf or a fox," she said.
"Well, Radie, I know you mean me; but as you wish it,
I'll carry my fangs elsewhere;—and what has become of
Will Wylder?"
"Oh! he's in the Church!"
"Quite right — the only thing he was fit for;" and
Captain Lake laughed like a man who enjoys a joke slily.
"And where is poor Billy quartered?"
"Not quite half a mile away; he has got the vicarage
of Naunton Friars."
"Oh, then, Will is not quite such a fool as we took him
for."
"It is worth just £180 a year; but he's very far
from a fool."