She looked like a different woman, and actually had a bit of colour, and was beginning to lose her frightened way.

Now it dawned upon even the dullest and least active mind that something had begun to stir.
It had been felt vaguely when the new young lady from "Meriker" had walked through the village street, and had drawn people to doors and windows by her mere passing.

After the return from London the signs of activity were such as made the villagers catch their breaths in uttering uncertain exclamations, and caused the feminine element to catch up offspring or, dragging it by its hand, run into neighbours' cottages and stand talking the incredible thing over in lowered and rather breathless voices.

Yet the incredible thing in question was--had it been seen from the standpoint of more prosperous villagers--anything but extraordinary.
In entirely rural places the Castle, the Hall or the Manor, the Great House--in short--still retains somewhat of the old feudal power to bestow benefits or withhold them.

Wealth and good will at the Manor supply work and resultant comfort in the village and its surrounding holdings.