180
WYLDER'S HAND.
look the least bit in the world uncomfortable, as if he did
not quite enter into the Captain's pleasantries.
They had not walked together very far, when Stanley
recollected that he must take his leave, and walk back to
Gylingden; and so the young lady and Lord were left to
pursue their way towards Redman's Farm together.
It would have been a more unaccountable proceeding on
the part of Stanley Lake, and a more romantic situation,
if Rachel and his lordship had not had before two or three
little accidental rambles together in the grounds and gar-
dens of Brandon. There was nothing quite new in the
situation, therefore; and Rachel was for a moment in-
describably relieved by Stanley's departure.
It was rather a marked thing — as lean Mrs. Loyd, of
Gylingden, who had two thin spinsters with pink noses
under her wing, remarked — this long walk of Lord Chel-
ford and Miss Lake in the park; and she enjoined upon
her girls the propriety of being specially reserved in their
intercourse with persons of Lord Chelford's rank; not
that they were much troubled with dangers from any such
quarter. Miss Lake had, she supposed, her own notions.
and would act as she pleased; but she owned for her part
she preferred the old fashion, and thought the men did
also; and was sure, too, that young ladies lost nothing by
a little reserve and modesty.
The sun just touched the verge of the wooded uplands,
as the young people began to descend the slope of Red-
man's Dell.
"How very short!" Lord Chelford paused, with a
smile, at these words. "I was just going to say how short
the days have grown, as if it had all happened without
notice, and contrary to the almanac; but really the sun
sets cruelly early this evening, and I am so very sorry our
little walk is so soon to end."