174
WYLDER'S HAJVD.
"What a charming park! and what delightful air, Ra-
die; and the weather so very delicious. They talk of
Italian evenings; but there is a pleasant sharpness in Eng-
lish evenings quite peculiar. Is not there just a little
suspicion of frost — not actually cold, but crisp and sharp
— unspeakably exhilarating; now really, this evening is
quite celestial."
"I've just been listening to a good man's conversation,
and I wish to reflect upon it," said Rachel, very coldly.
"Quite so; that is, of course, when you are alone,"
answered Stanley, serenely. "William was always a very
clever fellow to talk — very well read in theology — is
not he ? — it is a pity he is not quite straight, or at least
more punctual, in his money affairs."
"He is distressed for money? William Wylder is dis-
tressed for money! Do you mean that?" said Rachel,
in a tone of sudden surprise and energy, turning full upon
him, and stopping short.
"Oh, dear! no — not the least distressed that I ever
heard of," laughed Stanley coldly— "only just a little
bit roguish, maybe."
"That's so like you, Stanley," said the young lady,
with a quiet scorn, resuming her onward walk.
"How very beautiful that clump of birch trees is, near
the edge of the slope there; you really can't imagine, who
are always here, how very intensely a person who hadjust
escaped from London enjoys all this."
"I don't think, Stanley," said the young lady, coldly,
and looking straight before her as she walked, "you ev-
er cared for natural scenery — or liked the country —
and yet you are here. I don't think you ever loved me,
or cared whether I was alone or in company; and yet
Beeing — for you did see it — that I would now rather be
alone, you persist in walking with me, and talking of trees