CHAPTER XIV.
IN WHICH VARIOUS PERSONS GIVE THEIR OPINIONS
OP CAPTAIN STANLEY LAKE.
"Stanley is an odd creature," said Rachel, so soon as
another slight incline brought them to a walk; "I can't
conceive why he has come down here, or what he can pos-
sibly want of that disagreeable lawyer. They have got
dogs and guns, and are going, of course, to shoot; but he
does not care for shooting, and I don't think Mr. Larkin's
society can amuse him. Stanley is clever and cunning,
but he is neither wise nor frank. He never tells me his
plans, though he must know — he does know — I love
him; yes, he's a strange mixture of suspicion and impru-
dence. He's wonderfully reserved. If he were like
Lord Chelford, or even like our good Vicar — not in piety,
for poor Stanley's training, like my own, was sadly neg-
lected there — I mean in a few manly points of character,
I should be quite happy, I think, in my solitary nook."
"Is he so very odd?" said Miss Brandon, coldly.
"I only know he makes me often very uncomfortable,"
answered Rachel. "I never mind what he tells me, for
I think he likes to mislead everybody; and I havo been
too often duped by him to trust what he says. I only
know that his visit to Gylingden must have been made
with some serious purpose, and his ideas are all so rash
and violent."
"He was at Donnyston for ten days, I think, when 1
was there, and seemed clever. They had charades and
proverbes dramatiques. I'm no judge, but the people
who understood it, said he was very good."