Colonel Atherton was a man who hated ceremony of any kind, and had a great idea of letting everybody do as they chose.

Raby consequently found herself her own mistress in a way she had never experienced before.

It was not altogether a delightful sensation; for though she loved her father's companionship and the care of looking after his wants, she often felt the time hang heavy on her hands.
The colonel had a number of old friends to look up, and a great deal of business to do; and Raby, used to company of some sort, found his absences lonely.

Percy was often at the house, but he in his present dismal mood was poor company.

His one topic was Jeffreys; and that to Raby was the last topic on which she felt drawn to talk to any one.
When, therefore, a neighbour suggested to her one day to give an hour or two a week to visiting the poor of the district, Raby hailed the proposal gladly.