'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 possibly 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, I think, 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 imprudence. He's wonderfully reserved. I am certain he trusts no one on earth, and at the same time, except in his confidences, he's the rashest man living. 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 neglected 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 have been two 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 I 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.' 'Oh! yes he is clever; I knew he was at Donnyston, but he did not mention he had seen you there; he only told me he had met you pretty often when you were at Lady Alton's last season.' 'Yes, in town,' she answered, a little drily. While these young ladies are discussing Stanley Lake, I may be permitted to mention my own estimate of that agreeable young person.