– You needn't thank me, reverend, I'll accompany you," the Count offered him politely, rising to his feet.

– Oh, no need, sir! – The parson was embarrassed.

But the Count only smiled and pointed with his hand to the door.

This embarrassed Viscount Wilworth: he had guessed his friend's thoughts, so he also went to escort the parson to the door of the great hall.

As Lord Draymore had hoped, and Viscount Wilworth had no doubt, Christine Glowford was waiting for them in the hall: she was as beautiful as she had been on that occasion, and she was not spoilt by her old, shabby, grey dress, nor by her coarse clogs, as dusty as her father's shoes. Her long, wavy hair was loose and framed her pale, thin face beautifully. The girl looked very embarrassed, and when she saw the Count of Draymore, she lowered her gaze bashfully to the floor, well aware of the impression her beauty was making on the Earl. But Christine was really excited. She went up to her father and looked anxiously into his face.

– Ah, father! Hurry! Cassie has got much worse, and she's calling for you! – she said excitedly. – I borrowed a horse from a neighbour to come and fetch you!

The parson immediately became agitated, and his heart trembled.

– I will send my physician to you at once," said the viscount, who was watching the scene.

"Pretty! Pretty!" – thought Lord Draymore, looking intently at the excited and embarrassed face of the girl.

Viscount Wilworth left the hall and hurried after the doctor.

– What a pity! I hope your sister will soon recover," said the earl, looking at Christine with ill-concealed admiration.

The girl turned her beautiful eyes upon him and blushed.

– Thank you, sir, you are very kind," she murmured, surprised and delighted that the Count had addressed her.

– Come, Christine, there is no time to lose! – The pastor said hastily to his daughter, and taking her by the hand, went towards the large front doors. At the door he stopped and thanked the Count once more for his kindness.

– It is my duty, Reverend, to help the poor," he replied, wanting to make a good impression on the beautiful Christine.

She turned round and smiled at him with a smile full of embarrassment.

The parson was so puzzled by Cassie's condition that he paid no attention to the admiring glances exchanged between the Count of Draymore and his daughter Christine.

The Glowfords rode out of the landlord's huge, luxurious house, mounted the old, shabby horse waiting for them at the gate, and the horse trotted discreetly to Walsingham.

Viscount Wilworth had hoped that his physician would go with them, so when he saw that they had not waited for him, he felt slightly annoyed.

– Already gone? – he asked his friend, climbing the stairs to the first floor, where the sleeping rooms were.

– You have heard that little sister is not well at all," said the earl, absorbed in his thoughts of Christine.

– I have reported Miss Cassandra's illness to Mr. Morris, and he will see her as soon as he is ready to come to the village," said the Viscount, displeased at Colin's treatment of poor Cassie.

– Fine," murmured Lord Draymore; he was no longer listening to his friend's speech, but remembering the look Christine had given him before she left the house.

"A beautiful flower, blooming in the wilderness, far from the eyes of the city dandies… It is a pity she is only a rude peasant girl," he thought with regret and displeasure.

Cassie was not feeling well, much worse than she had in the morning: she had a high fever, and was writhing on her bed, throwing off the blanket Catherine had covered her with, delirious, and calling quietly to her father, "Daddy! Daddy!"