– Oh, no, not at all… – the parson was embarrassed: the poverty in which he lived was closer to his heart than the luxury that now surrounded him.

– Don't be embarrassed: it is a long journey from Walsingham to Rivershold, and you must be tired," said Lord Draymore, and ordered the maid to bring tea and toast for the parson. – Tell me about your parishioners. As Landlord, I am very interested in their lives. My secretary is in the village at the moment, but I would like to hear from someone who knows the people better than anyone else," the Count said to the parson as soon as the maid had left the drawing room.

– Of course, your Lordship, I will answer all your questions," said the parson, glancing at the large wall clock: he had not expected the Count to be interested in such things, and he intended to finish his business quickly and return home to his sick daughter.

The Count of Draymore sat down in the armchair opposite the parson's chair. The Viscount settled himself on a nearby sofa.

– When I was in the village, I couldn't help but notice how many young children and women there were, and how few men," the Count began. – How could this discrepancy have come about?

– The fact is, your Lordship, that the past winter has brought a real tragedy to our village: many men, women and children have died of disease, and some have frozen to death in their own beds," replied the pastor, with a heavy sigh.

– How many people lived in the village before this winter? – asked Viscount Wilworth, who was interested in the parson's information.

– One hundred and ninety-five, sir.

– And there are one hundred and fifty-one left," said the Count thoughtfully. – It is sad, very sad.

– Yes, sir, it was a great loss, but we did not bury the dead until the beginning of March, as the ground was frozen. My parishioners are very religious, kind and charitable, their lives are devoid of many goods and comforts, but they all live in the fear of the Lord.

– What do the villagers live by?

The maid entered, carrying a tray with a teapot, cups and a large dish of toast. She placed the set on a low table in front of the parson, poured a cup of fragrant, freshly brewed tea and quickly left.

– Farming, Your Lordship: growing cereals, fruit, vegetables, looking after the livestock, fishing, baking bread, and in the summer tending the potato field. But two months ago, our mill went out of order and the peasants have to grind grain by hand," replied the pastor.

"What a disgusting Middle Ages!" – Lord Draymore thought with disgust, only now realising the enormous amount of money that would have to be invested in the development of this remote corner of the countryside. And the waste of money was not to his liking.

– Sir, our village loses people every winter, with more and more single mothers and orphans. There are very few young men left, no more than twelve, and they are mostly girls who have no one to marry, for there are no single men…" The parson thought of his own daughters. – Forgive me, sir, but I cannot stay long: my youngest daughter is ill, and I must be near her.

– Miss Cassandra? – Viscount Wilworth asked in surprise. – 'But what is the matter with her? We had the honour of seeing her after the service, and she looked perfectly well.

– Cassie is in poor health," replied the parson, not wishing to go into details.

– I will send my personal physician with you," said the Viscount, for some reason excited by the thought of Cassie's indisposition.

The Count of Draymore cast a mocking glance at his friend.

– I don't think it is necessary," the parson protested, as he was not comfortable with disturbing the gentlemen with his personal problems.

– Don't mind, reverend," the Count told him in an unappealing tone. – I am sure there is no doctor in your village to see your daughter.

– You're right, sir, we don't have a doctor, but I know a little about medicine," the parson said quietly, clutching his shabby hat.

– It is settled: Mr. Morris will go with you," the Count told him firmly. – But I do not wish to detain you, so I suggest we get down to business. I see you have brought something with you?

The parson readily unfolded on the lid of a large black piano, placed in the middle of the drawing-room, his cotton-board with a drawing of the church.

– First of all, Your Lordship, I would like your help in rebuilding the church: it is a symbol of our faith, but we do not have the money to rebuild it," the pastor said carefully, watching the expression on the landlord's face. – I realise that we dare to trouble you with our troubles, but you are our only hope for the salvation of Walsingham.