Then gradually it came to pass that the village bored the new-comer;
bored her to death. She became restless and quarrelsome, had a
coolness with the vicarage regarding a pew, with Mrs. Tremenheere at
the Park about a housemaid, and actually cut Mrs. General Finch "dead"
in the village post office, owing to a mislaid visiting-card. At the
end of three years Lucilla Shafto had embroiled herself with almost
everyone in her immediate vicinity, and found her true level and most
congenial companions in the busy bustling town of Bricklands, a rapidly
growing and prosperous mushroom place, situated thirty miles south of
London, and within two miles of our ancient and respectable hamlet.
Here she belonged to several clubs, bridge, tennis and croquet; enjoyed
being a Triton among minnows; entertained a third-rate set at
"Littlecote," and joined gay little theatre parties to London to "do a
play," and return home by the last train.

Housekeeping sat but lightly on Mrs. Shafto's graceful shoulders, for
the Shaftos also possessed a family treasure named Hannah, an elderly
woman, who had been in service with "the family" and now managed the
house, and looked after the comforts and buttons of her master and his
boy.

Mr. and Mrs. Shafto went their separate ways, and were rarely to be
seen in one another's company. The lady assured her friends that her
husband's health was indifferent, and that he did not care for society;
for her part she liked amusement, excitement, life; whilst he preferred
to read, write, overlook his garden, and occasionally run up to London.
She did not trouble herself much about her son--a handsome active boy,
resembling his father in looks. Between these there undoubtedly
existed a deep affection. During the holidays they were frequently to
be met walking or riding together, and Shafto _pére_ would so far