'Very wise--exactly. But don't these very wise things sometimes turn out
very foolishly? Do you really think your friend, Mr. Wylder, cares about
me?'

'I take that for granted: in the nature of things it can hardly be
otherwise,' I replied, a good deal startled and perplexed by the curious
audacity of her interrogatory.

'It was very foolish of me to expect from Mr. Wylder's friend any other
answer; you are very loyal, Mr. De Cresseron.'

And without awaiting my reply she made some remark which I forget to Lady
Chelford, who sat at a little distance; and, appearing quite absorbed in
her new subject, she placed herself close beside the dowager, and
continued to chat in a low tone.

I was vexed with myself for having managed with so little skill a
conversation which, opened so oddly and frankly, might have placed me on
relations so nearly confidential, with that singular and beautiful girl.
I ought to have rejoiced--but we don't always see what most concerns our
peace. In the meantime I had formed a new idea of her. She was so
unreserved, it seemed, and yet in this directness there was something
almost contemptuous.

By this time Lord Chelford and Wylder returned; and, disgusted rather
with myself, I ruminated on my want of general-ship.

In the meantime, Miss Lake, with her hand on her brother's arm, was
walking swiftly under the trees of the back avenue towards that footpath
which, through wild copse and broken clumps near the park, emerges upon