Louisa had heard of the arrival of the expected party at the hall the day before, and did not imagine any of the family would find time to call on her, so much engaged as they must necessarily be: she, therefore, accompanied by Robin, the favourite little dog of her deceased friend, set out to pay a visit to the/ pensioners of the latter, now become hers, in the village; her late engagements having prevented her calling on any of them for some time. To some she communicated advice and consolation, to others assistance of a pecuniary nature, or what she conceived most conducive to their real comfort. By all, her kindness was felt with the utmost gratitude and thankfulness, and blessings implored on her head by the sick, the aged, and the infirm, to whom she was a common benefactress. But though impressed with the gratitude of these poor people, she always directed it to be paid more to Mr. Howard than to herself, as she only acted by his direction, now their friend as well as her own was gone to receive the reward of her benevolence.

She was returning home through the pleasure-ground that surrounded the house for some distance, when the barking of Robin gave her notice of the approach/ of strangers: in a few minutes she was met by the younger part of the party at the hall, and interrogated where she had hid herself for so long a time, as they had been hunting for her over all the grounds.