– What you need is not a pet, but a wife," Viscount Wilworth again advised him. – Fortunately, England is full of ladies worthy of your title.
– When I consider marrying, I shall choose one of them," said the Count laughingly. – But I am afraid there are no virgins as pure as those in the wilderness of Walsingham.
– Well, give Walsingham a decent life: this patronage will cost you less than what you spend on amusements and lose at the races," said the viscount, seriously, displeased at his friend's frivolous phrases. – I'll see you tomorrow.
The friends graciously bade farewell, and the viscount, full of conflicting feelings, got into his carriage and went to his mansion, taking with him the letters from the architect. When he reached home, he retired to his study, perused Mr. Pilough's reports, and was dissatisfied: the work on the church was progressing slowly, and the architect complained that it was a waste of time, and urged Lord Draymore to send London builders to Walsingham, for "with these village lads he gets nothing but nerve trouble." Mr. Pilough also reported the extreme necessity of stone roads being erected in the village, as during the rains it sinks in mud, and gave a brief description of the means of transporting the peasants on such days, which caused the Viscount's face to show a mocking but full of disapproval of this dreadful situation. Before his acquaintance with Walsingham, Viscount Wilworth had not even a suspicion that such dreadful living conditions could exist on Earth, especially in his beloved England, and not so far from London!
After reading Mr. Pilough's reports, the Viscount decided to insist that the Count of Draymore take notice of the plight of the Walsingham people, and he also had an irresistible urge to write to Pastor Glowford, suggesting that Miss Cassandra be seen by a London psychiatrist. The Viscount knew the parson's categorical attitude to Cassie, but he hoped that on this occasion prudence would suppress the church servant's unnecessary religiosity.
That same day Mr. Morris returned to London. He immediately sent a servant with a note to Viscount Wilworth, requesting an audience at any time convenient to the lord. The Viscount replied at once, and the servant returned to the doctor, with the invitation. The doctor decided not to delay his visit and went to the viscount's house that same evening. The noble lord was extremely surprised at the doctor's haste, but received him kindly, invited him to play a game of golf (as it was not late), and at the same time wanted to ask the doctor about the news from Walsingham. Dr Morris readily accepted the Viscount's invitation to play, and they went to the green behind the latter's large mansion (the lord was fond of golf). Behind the gentlemen, stealthily, like a shadow, a servant followed, carrying a basket of balls and clubs.