The ancient Saxon building, with pale sunshine slanting through the stained glass windows, possessed an austere beauty that seemed strange after the warm and friendly rotunda of Funchal’s Anglican church. But the order of service was blessedly familiar, the hymns, the prayers, the responses. Even a long-winded sermon brought comfort, and with the text from the Philippians, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me, she was inspired to make the very best of her new life. The vicar was in the porch as everyone filed out. He was an elderly man and rather hard of hearing, a handicap he endeavoured to counter by an excess of affability. Marianna was introduced to a number of the village notables, who seemed uncertain in their attitude towards her, while they murmured vague pleasantries about paying a call quite soon. After luncheon, another difficult meal, Marianna asked William to show her more of the house. There were a bewildering number of bedrooms, she discovered, and she inquired if many guests came to stay at Highmount.
