Chelford had, she supposed, no idea of marrying out of his own rank; and
further, that he, Captain Lake, must perfectly comprehend, if he could
not appreciate, the reasons which would for ever bar any such relation.

But Rachel, though she treated the subject serenely in this interview,
was sadder and more forlorn than ever, and lay awake at night, and,
perhaps, if we knew all, shed some secret tears; and then with time came
healing of these sorrows.

It was a fallacy, a mere chimera, that was gone; an impracticability too.
She had smiled at it as such when Dorcas used to hint at it; but are
there no castles in the clouds which we like to inhabit, although we know
them altogether air-built, and whose evaporation desolates us?

Rachel's talks with the vicar were frequent; and poor little Mrs. William
Wylder, who knew not the reason of his visits, fell slowly, and to the
good man's entire bewilderment, into a chronic jealousy. It expressed
itself enigmatically; it was circumlocutory, sad, and mysterious.

'Little Fairy was so pleased with his visit to Redman's Farm to-day. He
told me all about it; did not you, little man? But still you love poor
old mamma best of all; you would not like to have a new mamma. Ah, no;
you'd rather have your poor old, ugly Mussie. I wish I was handsome, my
little man, and clever; but wishing is vain.'

'Ah! Willie, there was a time when you could not see how ugly and dull
your poor foolish little wife was; but it could not last for ever. How
did it happen--oh, how?--you such a scholar, so clever, so handsome, my
beautiful Willie--how did you ever look down on poor wretched me?'