"What a beautiful girl. It is amazing that in this wilderness you can find a treasure in the form of such a fresh rose" – thought the lord, still not taking his eyes off the beautiful girl: even in her old, rough dress, Christine was very beautiful. Kate, too, seemed pretty to the lord, but her beauty was pale and commonplace against Christine's.

When the congregation had finished singing the hymn, Pastor Glowford invited the new landlord down the aisle so that his subjects could see him.

The new landlord didn't make the pastor ask twice – it turned out to be a gentleman who had been gathering information about the peasants. Someone who liked Christine. He glimpsed the girl's face once more, but this time she didn't take her beautiful eyes off him.

Like all the girls in the church, Christine thought that the new landlord was very good-looking: tall, stately, well-built, clean-shaven, handsome, young, well-groomed, and his hair was thick, dark and beautifully styled. To the poor village girls, who had never seen such smart, well-groomed men before, he seemed to be a real beauty, a creature from another world beyond their reach, and an ambitious dream slipped into their hearts. All of them except Catherine and Cassie: Kate was too religious to think of such a thing, and Cassie did not understand the meaning of beauty, and besides, she was sleeping sweetly, nestled comfortably on a bench. But while in the hearts of other girls this vicious dream slipped and disappeared, in Christine's heart it took root and grew a flower of ambition: Christine saw that the lord was interested in her, but she feared that others would notice his interest in her and judge her, so she pretended not to notice his admiring gaze on her face.

The Landlord lifted his chin as he always did when he made a speech.

– Good morning, residents of Walsingham. Allow me to introduce myself: I am the Count of Draymore, your new Landlord. The manor of Rivershold, whose lands include your village, was recently inherited by me after the death of my much-loved uncle, who passed away in mid-March of this year. Today I have seen that your village is in a deplorable state. And I will help rebuild it. You can address all your needs to my secretary Mr. Grim, who will come to your village tomorrow. I can also see that you are conscientious, hard-working and religious people, so I will help you with sincere pleasure. But, alas, I have urgent business to attend to, and I must leave your kind society," he said loudly and resolutely.

The peasants listened to him with open mouths.

– But, your Lordship, would you do us the great honour of staying at least until the end of the mass? – The parson, who wished to speak to him about the rebuilding of the church, asked him politely.

The Count hesitated, but, casting another quick glance at Christine, decided to stay. He nodded silently to the pastor and strode majestically to his pew.

The pastor continued the mass, but he found it difficult to interest the excited peasants, who were already whispering about what they could ask of the lord.

– Are you in your right mind? – his friend whispered unhappily to the landlord.

The prospect of another hour in this medieval atmosphere did not please him at all.

– Wait a moment, Dominic," replied the Count of Draymore.

Dominic, Viscount Wilworth followed his friend's gaze carefully and found out that he was looking at Christine Glowford.

– Have you found a new amusement? – he grinned. – But she is the pastor's daughter, I hope you remember that.

– I have no plans for her. It's just that I've never seen such beauties. To associate with a peasant girl would disgrace my name," Colin Draymore replied.

– I'm glad you realise that" his friend said gravely.

As the service came to an end, the congregation began to leave the church slowly. The noble gentlemen were the last to leave and headed for the beautiful carriage that was waiting for them at the entrance to the church.

But suddenly, as if a bright sun bunny appeared in the grey crowd of poor people, making both lords freeze in admiration.

– Can you tell me, my good man, who is this marvellous flower? – Lord Draymore asked a peasant passing by.

– Cassie Glowford," he replied, bowing respectfully to the Count.

– Another daughter of the parson? – The viscount was surprised to see the pretty girl with a smile.

– Yes, the youngest. But she's not very well," the peasant said quietly, touching his fingers to his forehead.

– Not well? You mean mentally ill? – questioned the Count, who had already set his eyes on the fragile creature.

– No, but she's like a child, she doesn't understand much. She has the brains of a child. That's it," explained the poor man, and sighed sadly. – Such a pity for her, poor thing.

– Well, good man, go," said the Count of Draymore, disappointed in Cassie.

– Poor girl," said Viscount Wilworth, watching her with sincere pity in his heart. – "Think how hard it must be for her father.

– Of course, it's. It is impossible to marry her off, for no one would be tempted to take spoilt goods," said the earl, with a grim sneer, as he saw Pastor Glowford approaching them with displeasure.

Viscount Wilworth looked at Cassie and could not believe that this angel was not quite well. Cassie was still sleepy: she was smiling absent-mindedly after her nap and looked touching and sad. Then Catherine came to the girl, took her under her arm, and led her away.