"The only man of the family was that," she said, pointing (with an arm that was yet beautifully round and white) towards the picture of the military gentleman in the red coat and cuirass, and great black periwig.
"The Virginian?
What is he good for?
I always thought he was good for nothing but to cultivate tobacco and my grandmother," says my lord, laughing.
She struck her hand upon the table with an energy that made the glasses dance.

"I say he was the best of you all.

There never was one of the male Esmonds that had more brains than a goose, except him.

He was not fit for this wicked, selfish old world of ours, and he was right to go and live out of it.

Where would your father have been, young people, but for him ?" "Was he particularly kind to our papa ?" says Lady Maria.
"Old stories, my dear Maria!" cries the Countess.