The young man had led a wild youth; he had fought with distinction under Marlborough; he had married a foreign lady, and most lamentably adopted her religion.

At one time he had been a Jacobite (for loyalty to the sovereign was ever hereditary in the Esmond family), but had received some slight or injury from the Prince, which had caused him to rally to King George's side.

He had, on his second marriage, renounced the errors of Popery which he had temporarily embraced, and returned to the Established Church again.

He had, from his constant support of the King and the Minister of the time being, been rewarded by his Majesty George II., and died an English peer.

An earl's coronet now figured on the hatchment which hung over Castlewood gate--and there was an end of the jolly gentleman.