It might have been evident to a watchful bystander that Alaric was growing in favour with all the party, excepting Mrs.Woodward, and that, as he did so, Harry was more and more cherished by her.
This was specially shown in one little scene.

Alaric had brought down with him to Hampton the documents necessary to enable him to draw out his report on Mary Jane.

Indeed, it was all but necessary that he should do so, as his coming examination would leave him but little time for other business during the week.

On Saturday night he sat up at his inn over the papers, and on Sunday morning, when Mrs.Woodward and the girls came down, ready bonneted, for church, he signified his intention of remaining at his work.
'I certainly think he might have gone to church,' said Mrs.
Woodward, when the hall-door closed behind the party, as they started to their place of worship.
'Oh! mamma, think how much he has to do,' said Gertrude.
'Nonsense,' said Mrs.Woodward; 'it's all affectation, and he ought to go to church.

Government clerks are not worked so hard as all that; are they, Harry ?' 'Alaric is certainly very busy, but I think he should go to church all the same,' said Harry, who himself never omitted divine worship.
'But surely this is a work of necessity ?' said Linda.
'Fiddle-de-de,' said Mrs.Woodward; 'I hate affectation, my dear.
It's very grand, I dare say, for a young man's services to be in such request that he cannot find time to say his prayers.