That is, her father was a lawyer of Lymport.

The lawyer, however, since we must descend the genealogical tree, was known to have married his cook, who was the lady's mother.

Now Mr.Melchisedec was mysterious concerning his origin; and, in his cups, talked largely and wisely of a great Welsh family, issuing from a line of princes; and it is certain that he knew enough of their history to have instructed them on particular points of it.

He never could think that his wife had done him any honour in espousing him; nor was she the woman to tell him so.

She had married him for love, rejecting various suitors, Squire Uplift among them, in his favour.