The Count of Draymore thought seriously about his friend's words. But he feared the consequences, not for Christine, but for his own person and his reputation in high society. The Count thought that the peasant woman might start a rumour that he was in love with her, or worse, so he decided to leave.
– I'll leave tomorrow, but I'll leave Mr. Pilough in charge of the church rebuilding. You can stay here as long as you like," the Count announced his intentions.
– Why should I stay? – The viscount was sincerely surprised at his friend's words.
– But you are interested in the fate of the youngest Glowford, aren't you?
– I am afraid I cannot help her here, but I shall leave Mr. Morris to see to her recovery," said the Viscount. – The pastor stubbornly refuses my help, and I cannot act without his consent.
– Then we leave tomorrow," said the Count of Draymore.
The Count was pleasantly relieved when he realised that he would no longer see the beautiful Christine and, far from temptation, would forget about her.
Viscount Wilworth was also glad to return to London, but for other reasons. Now he was calm for the honour of Christine Glowford, who had had the misfortune to interest his friend. Therefore, the fact that the Count would be away from Walsingham would be signalled by a pleasant necessity for the rescue of this peasant girl. Besides, in London the viscount planned to seek a cure for Cassie, and he was also trivially bored on this remote estate. But he ordered Mr. Morris to send him letters to keep him informed of Miss Cassandra's health.
The Count of Draymore, for his part, obliged Mr. Pilough, the architect, to send him reports of the work done on the church.
The next morning, unnoticed by any of the Walsinghams, the gentlemen left for London.
After vespers the pastor unveiled the forthcoming reconstruction of the church and called for volunteers, and the grateful parishioners responded eagerly, willing to help in any way they could, even women. Three lads and seven fairly young men volunteered for the work itself, including Christine's admirer, John Tiley, who secretly hoped that Pastor Glowford would protectorate him over Christine.
Christine waited for the right moment to tell her father of her intentions to go to London but decided that she would first save up the money for the journey, and then, using this as an argument, she would make her plans known to her father. To this purpose she had been wandering about Walsingham since morning to find some work, but she was greatly disappointed: the poor people of Walsingham had no money, and as payment for the girl's labour they offered food, coarse cloth, or old shoes. They had not a cent of money. In the evening Christine walked home frustrated, tired, and depressed at the thought that she would have to live her whole life in a remote village she hated. She cried all night and fell asleep only in the morning, and a couple of hours later she was awakened by Catherine for breakfast and matins. Christine reluctantly got up, washed her face, dressed, brushed her hair and sat down on the mattress beside Cassie.