“That’s the question,” said Mr. Cradock, laughing.  “But I am hindering you shamefully,” and with that he took his leave, having quite demolished our barriers.

And his wife was of the same nature—­simple, blithe, and bonny—­ready to make friends in a moment; and though she must have known all about us, never seeming to remember anything but that we were her nearest lady neighbours.

Jaquetta, whose young friendships had been broken short off, because the poor girls really did not know how to correspond with her under present circumstances, took to Mrs. Cradock with eager enthusiasm, and tripped across the park to her two or three times a week, and became delightedly interested in all her doings, parochial or otherwise.

Dear Jaquey’s happy nature had always been content; but when I saw how exceedingly she enjoyed the variety, liveliness, and occupations brought by the Cradocks, I felt that it had been scarcely kind to seclude her to gratify my own sole pride; but then there had been nobody like the Cradocks—­to drop or be dropped.

The refreshment to Fulk was even greater.  The having a man to converse with, and break his mind against, one who would argue, and who really cared for the true principles of politics, made an immense difference to him.  When after tea he said he would walk to the parsonage to see how the debate had gone, and we knew we should not see him till half-past ten, we could not but be glad; it must have been so much pleasanter than playing at chess, listening to our old music, or reading even the new books they lent us.

He brightened greatly that winter, and I ceased to fear that he was getting a farmer’s slouch.  He looked as stately and beautiful as ever Lord Torwood had done, and the dejection had gone out of his face and bearing, when suddenly it returned again; and as Miss Prior was away from home, I never found out the cause till one day, as I was shopping at Shinglebay, and was telling the linen draper that Mr. Torwood would call for the parcel, I saw the lady at the other counter start and turn round, as if at a sudden shock.

Then I saw the white doe eyes, full of the old pleading expression, and the lips quivering wistfully, but I only said to myself, “The old arts!  That is what has overthrown Fulk again;” and away I went with a rigid bow, and said nothing.

There was no exchange of calls.  That was not my fault, for we could not have begun; and we heard that Mrs. Deerhurst said, “The Torwoods had shown very good taste in retiring from all society, poor things.  Only it was a great mistake to remain in the neighbourhood—­so awkward for everybody!”

Mrs. Cradock was much struck with Emily’s sweet looks; but I believe that Jaquetta told her all about it, and we never met the Deerhursts there.

In fact they were not intimate, for there must have been a repulsion between Mrs. Deerhurst and such a woman as Mary Cradock.