Probably her father's avowed indifferentism imposed upon her a timid silence.

When the Revivalist services were being held in Polterham, she visited the Hall and the churches with assiduity, and from that period dated her friendship with the daughter of Mr.Mumbray, Mayor of the town.

Serena Mumbray was so uncomfortable at home that she engaged eagerly in any occupation which could excuse her absence for as many hours a day as possible.

Prior to the outbreak of Revivalism no one had supposed her particularly pious, and, indeed, she had often suffered Mrs.Mumbray's rebukes for levity of speech and indifference to the conventional norm of feminine behaviour.

Though her parents had always been prominent in Polterham society, she was ill-educated, and of late years had endeavoured, in a fitful, fretful way, to make amends to herself for this injustice.