The invitations were politely declined.

Civil visitors called resolutely at the Abbey, and were as resolutely bowed away from the doors as soon as they had left their cards.

Under this combination of sinister and aggravating circumstances people in all directions took to shaking their heads mysteriously when the name of Mr.Alfred Monkton was mentioned, hinting at the family calamity, and wondering peevishly or sadly, as their tempers inclined them, what he could possibly do to occupy himself month after month in the lonely old house.
The right answer to this question was not easy to find.

It was quite useless, for ex ample, to apply to the priest for it.

He was a very quiet, polite old gentleman; his replies were always excessively ready and civil, and appeared at the time to convey an immense quantity of information; but when they came to be reflected on, it was universally observed that nothing tangible could ever be got out of them.