She had no one amongst her immediate neighbours for whom she cared much.

The general round of country dinner-parties she had always found very dull, and the annual hunt week and assize balls she had never liked; so she found herself again thrown quite upon her own resources.

As long as Colonel Vaughan had been in the country, she had taken an interest in everything; when he left, her ordinary pursuits--her riding, painting, music, garden--in all of which he had aided her, suddenly lost their charm.

Her friend's marriage came about just when she wanted an object of interest, and when that was over she was thrown back upon herself.
By degrees, however, a healthier tone returned to her mind, and she forgot the fascinating Colonel Vaughan, and recovered her interest in her house, school, dogs, birds, garden, and the thousand and one small objects that serve to make time pass cheerfully and happily in a country home.

Above all, she became more and more interested in Gladys, and anxious to shelter her from the many dangers and temptations which she saw her peculiar beauty and position subjected her to.