– Miss Cassandra? – Viscount Wilworth asked in surprise. – 'But what is the matter with her? We had the honour of seeing her after the service, and she looked perfectly well.
– Cassie is in poor health," replied the parson, not wishing to go into details.
– I will send my personal physician with you," said the Viscount, for some reason excited by the thought of Cassie's indisposition.
The Count of Draymore cast a mocking glance at his friend.
– I don't think it is necessary," the parson protested, as he was not comfortable with disturbing the gentlemen with his personal problems.
– Don't mind, reverend," the Count told him in an unappealing tone. – I am sure there is no doctor in your village to see your daughter.
– You're right, sir, we don't have a doctor, but I know a little about medicine," the parson said quietly, clutching his shabby hat.
– It is settled: Mr. Morris will go with you," the Count told him firmly. – But I do not wish to detain you, so I suggest we get down to business. I see you have brought something with you?
The parson readily unfolded on the lid of a large black piano, placed in the middle of the drawing-room, his cotton-board with a drawing of the church.
– First of all, Your Lordship, I would like your help in rebuilding the church: it is a symbol of our faith, but we do not have the money to rebuild it," the pastor said carefully, watching the expression on the landlord's face. – I realise that we dare to trouble you with our troubles, but you are our only hope for the salvation of Walsingham.
Count Draymore scrutinised the drawing of the church.
– It would be a good idea to tear down your old church and build a new one," he said firmly. – It would cost many times more to repair the old one than to build a new one.
– How? Tear it down? – The pastor was horrified. – This church has been here for a hundred and ninety-three years! To tear it down would be a sacrilege!
"How deeply they are hanging on to their ruins! – thought the count with a sneer. – How these poor people love their church! You bet, in such poverty there is nothing else to cling to than faith."
– You do not wish it to be torn down? – he asked the parson with a faint smile.
– Absolutely! Our church is our everything! – He exclaimed fervently, fearing that the lord would indeed tear it down.