It was certainly hard upon Frank that all the attraction of the village should be removed to make way and prepare for his return--harder, perhaps, on them; for, to tell the truth, Miss Oriel's visit had been entirely planned to enable her to give Mary a comfortable way of leaving Greshamsbury during the time that Frank should remain at home.

Frank thought himself cruelly used.

But what did Mr Oriel think when doomed to eat his Christmas pudding alone, because the young squire would be unreasonable in his love?
What did the doctor think, as he sat solitary by his deserted hearth--the doctor, who no longer permitted himself to enjoy the comforts of the Greshamsbury dining-table?
Frank hinted and grumbled; talked to Beatrice of the determined constancy of his love, and occasionally consoled himself by a stray smile from some of the neighbouring belles.

The black horse was made perfect; the old grey pony was by no means discarded; and much that was satisfactory was done in the sporting line.

But still the house was dull, and Frank felt that he was the cause of its being so.