Mr. Morris sat beside his pet (as he had named her), Cassandra Glowford, and was genuinely amused by her spontaneity and childish prattle, as well as amusing her and telling her of his adventures in Europe and how he had met his wife. The girl had little idea what he was talking about, but the names of some of the towns amused her so much that she immediately burst into an infectious, ringing laugh.
Mr. Pilough was mostly silent, enjoying the unpretentious country dishes (alcohol was absent) and contemplating the rough but hearty beauty of the village girls, who paid no attention to him as they were busy gossiping and wondering which of them would marry next after Miriam.
Christine chatted passionately with her neighbour, forgetting her bad mood for a while, but feeling the amorous gaze of poor John Tiley. And the village gossips had already discussed it and decided that the next to walk down the aisle would be the middle Glowford and "John, who is madly in love with her."
Catherine had been a little sad all day: she was worried that she and the congregation would miss vespers today, which would be a great sin.
On his return from Rivershold to London, Viscount Wilworth left it the same day: business called him to Europe, where he remained until July, and, tired, exhausted by the sea journey to England, he returned to his hometown, to his home. When the Viscount had slept and cleaned himself up, he decided not to waste time and to get on with the business that had accumulated during his absence. The very next morning, on entering his study, the lord saw a stack of letters and telegrams lying on the desk, sent by Mr. Morris. The Viscount had forgotten Walsingham and poor Cassie while travelling in Europe, surrounded by new people, cares, and pretty ladies of the court, but as he looked at Mr. Morris's letters he smiled, and was overcome with a desire to know what had happened at Walsingham during his absence. The Viscount settled himself in his broad armchair and read letter after letter, strictly in chronological order: Mr. Morris had a good, cheerful style, and it was a most entertaining and informative matter to read his description of the events that had taken place in the village. The Viscount was particularly interested in Miss Cassandra's health. Soon, having dealt with the letters, he turned to the telegrams, familiarising himself with them in chronological order.