These consisted mostly of peasants of the neighborhood, who came to the chateau at his summons; but as soon as they came into Julien's presence, they discovered, with that cautious perception which is an instinct with rustic minds, that before them stood a man completely ignorant of the customs of the country, and very poorly informed on Claude de Buxieres's affairs.

They made no scruple of mystifying this "city gentleman," by means of ambiguous statements and cunning reticence.

The young man could get no enlightenment from them; all he clearly understood was, that they were making fun of him, and that he was not able to cope with these country bumpkins, whose shrewdness would have done honor to the most experienced lawyer.
After a few days he became discouraged and disgusted.

He could see nothing but trouble ahead; he seemed surrounded by either open enemies or people inclined to take advantage of him.

It was plain that all the population of the village looked upon him as an intruder, a troublesome master, a stranger whom they would like to intimidate and send about his business.