At this period Mr.Mainwaring had just come to Dillsborough, and having a wife with some money and perhaps quite as much pretension, had found the rectory too small, and had taken the Hall on a lease for seven years.

When this was arranged Reginald Morton again went to Germany, and did not return till the lease had run out.

By that time Mr.Mainwaring, having spent a little money, found that the rectory would be large enough for his small family.
Then the Hall was again untenanted for awhile, till, quite suddenly, Reginald Morton returned to Dillsborough, and took up his permanent residence in his own house.
It soon became known that the new-comer would not add much to the gaiety of the place.

The only people whom he knew in Dillsborough were his own tenants, Mr.Runciman and Mr.Masters, and the attorney's eldest daughter.

During those months which he had spent with Lady Ushant at Bragton, Mary had been living there, then a child of twelve years old; and, as a child, had become his fast friend.
With his aunt he had continually corresponded, and partly at her instigation, and partly from feelings of his own, he had at once gone to the attorney's house.