She had just come from the seaside, where she had met some earnest young men, one or two of whom she expected to see shortly at Thorbury.

Also Mr.Ames, their young rector, was a very persevering person, and a great friend of her brother.
Of course it behooved her to act with tact, but for all that she must be prompt.

It was easy to see that Ralph Haverley could not be expected to go very soon into the society of Thorbury, to visit ladies there, and as she wanted him to learn to know her as rapidly as possible, she resolved to give him every opportunity.
Miriam was gone a long time, because when she reached the barn, the calf was not to be found where she had left it, and she had been obliged to go for Mike and a lantern.

After anxious search the little fellow had been found reclining under an apple tree, having gained sufficient strength from the ministrations of its fair attendants to go through the open stable door and to find out what sort of a world it had been born into.
It required time to get the truant back, secure it in its stall, and make all the arrangements for its comfort which Miriam thought necessary.
Therefore, before she returned to the piazza, Miss Bannister and Ralph had had a long conversation, in which the latter had learned a great deal about the disposition and tastes of his fair companion, and had been much interested in what he learned..