Books, sketching, long walks, a friendly interest in their peasant neighbors--these had filled their time.
It took, indeed, but a short time to discover in Miss Mallory a hunger for society which seemed to be the natural result of long starvation.
With her neighbors the Roughsedges she was already on the friendliest terms.

To Dr.Roughsedge, who was infirm, and often a prisoner to his library, she paid many small attentions which soon won the heart of an old student.

She was in love with Mrs.Roughsedge's gray curls and motherly ways; and would consult her about servants and tradesmen with an eager humility.

She liked the son, it seemed, for the parents' sake, nor was it long before he was allowed--at his own pressing request--to help in hanging pictures and arranging books at Beechcote.

A girl's manner with young men is always a matter of interest to older women.
Mrs.Colwood thought that Diana's manner to the young soldier could not have been easily bettered.